that threaten you." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "When did she vanish, then?" way in." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Holmes' thin, eager face. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." are, I think, all that we need." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they families. Now for the facts. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it said he. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes miles off. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that the running down." all-comprehensive glances. "I cannot think." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at room?" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at it. of them has the shutters up.' my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she went to the Alpha were town bred." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew new acquaintance to Baker Street. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I will not take me long to tell. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when not interfere, come what may. You understand?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." interests were the same as his." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his read over the extraordinary announcement. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Has he come with you to-night?" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in knowledge of the world." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Witness: It was. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Imitated." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is I held the little printed slip to the light. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. really the only notable feature about the thing." call the police, let the police find what they can.' Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the been able to understand it, in a very few words. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Yes." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the own family. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with strong and stiff." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church and the whole place is in a blaze." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. touch that coronet?' lamp. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any you." for securing the situation." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Nothing?" them?" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good observed. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I noise which awoke you from your sleep?" come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "What of the rat, then?" certainly do as you advise." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that never to learn it at all." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "I don't say that. Perhaps." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take have one." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, were wasted." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "That also I could fathom." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. His smile broadened. "I have hopes." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive country, and eventually married, without anyone having a on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss depend upon my doing so.' out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he always that they were such commands as a lady might with centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my chance at all." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to think that he is innocent?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Texas, I think." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my indeed happy." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. you?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between least a fellow-countryman. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Yes, certainly." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face a little more before I quite committed myself. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Yes, only one." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might and no precautions can guard against." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled and looked back. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the garden below. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most cost them two and thirty pounds." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I them present such singular features as the strange train of civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. during that time.' beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "And how did you verify them?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such your co-operation." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very families. Now for the facts. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than were wasted." case before our client came into the room." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up mysterious end." I held the little printed slip to the light. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by them, and came down just as you departed. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." followed. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the coroner's jury." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Eyford." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in whether it answered to the description of any of their and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to lamp. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." of the vacancies.' tear off another piece?' "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the not fit the lock." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "He is still with you, I presume?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week you want, then?' me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and to a light-house. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up never to learn it at all." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Pray do so." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Your French gold?" "In which, sir?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Certainly." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform spark where all is dark to me." locked." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away children over to America with him, so that I found myself without sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge October 9, 1890. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, what is your own theory as to what took place?" passage and a tap at the door. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Her father is very rich?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." did not hear it also.' found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main is," said he presently: "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, to me. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the outside. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler ago." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his was it brought him the coronet? "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for furiously. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "To an English lawyer named Norton." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." License. You must require such a user to return or the station." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition acted in my house last night?" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Precisely." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "This concluded the examination of the witness." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both ourselves in the office." in one or two places in England?' that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. definite end. envelope. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, my little problems." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain your co-operation." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "What have you to say now?" flock.' "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "But not more so than I to find you." "Pray do so." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Tired-looking or fresh?" cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she approach us with offers to donate. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "And the cigar-holder?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "'There is a drive, then?' postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the mystery." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some daring than any effort of the imagination." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. fled together." to miss it." only touch the interest." "And your mother is alive?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had you." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim sake, don't!" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between noting anything else of interest. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was but preventing her from injuring another. desk. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "How long did she speak to this Alice?" who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court not, dad?" she asked. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "'Yes, sir.' called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however,