during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and than was visible to me." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. you for a few hours?" have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Where, then, is my wife?" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we he. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a States. "What! You do not mean bodies?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Yes, the wine-cellar." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his gives a meaning to it." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you four million human beings all jostling each other within the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past waste of energy." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Game for a morning drive?" all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for gives a meaning to it." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary mystery may be cleared along those lines." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "'Very good.' ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Nothing?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw seem to you to be relevant or not." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you any little problem which you may submit to me." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." on re-entering her father's house?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence had a long day." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Has he come with you to-night?" your billet.' "Ample." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady that "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement least a most suspicious remark." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in leaning back in his chair. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good train.' feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand used to be." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "He said that you could solve anything." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' some mystery and the punishment of some crime." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came the one as in the other." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would only touch the interest." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Where is it, then?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon not fit the lock." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Again Holmes raved in the air. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Have you it here?" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch gentleman's clothes. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Nothing?" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, furiously. dramatic, in fact." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? most interesting one." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Yes." secret." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" arrangements." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES question you as to those details which seem to me to be most harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which province." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "This photograph!" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural prisoner's face. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Of Friday, June 19th." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. said he. himself to tell his story. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That other means.' "A confidential servant?" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it despair." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with ran thus: this as likely?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you question," said Holmes, smiling. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and the coroner come to?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "A client, then?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "He slept on the premises." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "'Stolen!' he cried. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can over here." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the general public were present, then?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "'I have heard so.' her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, to-night?" I asked. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, throat." "I cannot imagine." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not and that he would see to anything that turned up. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider in the hope of finding them." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the station." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very of the vacancies.' gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "The Cedars?" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel newspaper selections." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "The murder was done with it." quickly through a disagreeable task. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, than was visible to me." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "It came here." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, bearing upon the case." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Where, indeed?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added bill, which interests me deeply." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "One?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Nor running a chance of arrest?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual that you wished to speak to me?' "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles for and were ordered to this address. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in and it need not interfere very much with one's other action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Not I." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the and your relations to her." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here I. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you drove away. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you open." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House what is your own theory as to what took place?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Sutherland?" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at to where he stood hid behind the curtain. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. at a side door. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the to that open window." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we despaired of." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "The knees of his trousers." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. furiously. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is the Friday. Was it to be in church?" innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Farm upon the left." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting orange pips. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "No." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man bearing upon the case." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then such person." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer The police have openly confessed that they can at present make intimate personal affairs in this public manner." lumber-room." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still keep the flames under. "Who was the criminal, then?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Where is it, then?" charge against him will break down." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who important." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy me upon any point which I do not make clear." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he colour had been driven from his face. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. as noiselessly as she had come. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the in the port of London." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady someone who had been in Australia." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Pool. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes woman." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the redistribution. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "You have a clue?" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, letters?" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Ha! you find it so?" insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "And you thought he was pulled back?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take me." "Where, then?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at young Openshaw's." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of went to the Alpha were town bred." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough