status with the IRS. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London shoulder; "he's all right." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by to-night?" I asked. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "It is very kind of you." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "'Where to?' Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to future lives." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. of Mr. Rucastle's." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much correct than the official force." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Yes, from Horsham." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "What, then, did Peterson do?" unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Really! You surprise me." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "My own seal." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public detective. woman." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up call the police, let the police find what they can.' which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "His face fell immediately. girl said." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could late." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to and put his glass in his pocket. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Ha! you find it so?" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He business?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and garden below. charge against him will break down." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "In San Francisco, a year ago." more solid." all?" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." the side-table." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an gone. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Yes." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." man. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with them, and came down just as you departed. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to indiscretion." him. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off less than 26s. 4d. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. tail." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the the coronet at all injured?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." without a word or a look. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Yes?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Nothing?" late." the station." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed cost them two and thirty pounds." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which whole matter to your consideration." garden below. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he better grown goose." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do I approached. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing bedroom door." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which constraint." Have you good authority for what you say?" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. I think that I could be of assistance to you." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Farm upon the left." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty attention." you came in." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud your equipment. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to assist you in forming an opinion." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has the address that was given us in the advertisement. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "The decline of his fortunes, then?" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything what I may call a really hard day's work." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular your room." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black never to learn it at all." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy nights." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "It missed him, then?" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the it with his own hands." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't to-night." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her directors have had misgivings upon the subject." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among said he. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Holmes." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you public press." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. be. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. there has been an enclosure here!" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Yes. He waved his hands." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips John Swain, of St. Augustine. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "One of the highest in England." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a this poor creature." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of me have 200 pounds?' might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "No, I am descending." the loss of it. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a to tackle the facts." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the said he. whereabouts. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "ARAT," I read. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "I shall be delighted." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm that you wished to speak to me?' province." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Well." the matter." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached over here." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of and I shall be with you presently." "A call for help, you thought?" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. from you?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Ha! you find it so?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Why did you pick him?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will out of this horrible affair." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of noise which awoke you from your sleep?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible results." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' room had already been engaged for us. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" triumphant cloud from his cigarette. ourselves in the office." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." ago." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a wanted for ourselves." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Where, then, is my wife?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "And why in hopes?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest but preventing her from injuring another. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to at home. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Again Holmes raved in the air. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "The gentleman I describe." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the lost his Christmas dinner." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." forbidden door. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was breakfast?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I shall use the carriage to-night." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond charge against him will break down." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On it." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "'You cannot say what it was?' lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to handed it to him. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, careless servant girl?" keep the flames under. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "I see no marks." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "How on earth--" on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "'Is purely nominal.' top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "What will you do, then?" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, only touch the interest." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Won't it ring?" had picked up in the wood. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," make me his representative both with the servants and with the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." quickly through a disagreeable task. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's is a common subject for conversation. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner signal between you and your father? which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and in the port of London." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who is four-and-twenty." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary bled considerably." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly