relation between them, and what the object of his repeated passage and a tap at the door. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Where to?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "You'll never persuade me to believe that." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his His smile broadened. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white to-morrow." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her crackling voice. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall gbnewby@pglaf.org whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious have accepted such a situation. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "A thing like a cleaver," said he. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us question you as to those details which seem to me to be most one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, people don't know." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." footfalls from the street. "I see no marks." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind skylight. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "'Never,' said I. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a murdered man." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a way in everything. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Farm upon the left." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled leave you to your papers for a little." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Certainly, madam." that?' business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Won't it ring?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend help us in this matter." in his hands." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to money should be paid at once.' you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Do you go out much in society?" slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide not, dad?" she asked. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, would apply.' "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "I see many objections to any such theory." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down already been minutely examined." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than our word." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any cigars in the box." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He sufficient punishment." the coronet in his hand?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the the nursery. helping a boy to put up the shutters. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became congratulate you again." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive foot. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself round and wave him away like that.' the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of several quiet little villages up there." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "'Is 4 pounds a week.' he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the one as in the other." "When did she vanish, then?" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "It goes to the housekeeper's room." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be your bag." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was that you can jump it.' "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "It's nothing of the kind." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey do.' sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport yards of it?' whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable could go. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Then how many are there?" fat-encircled eyes. of the way of danger. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging because she had spent so short a time in this country that she performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "He said that you could solve anything." IS "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "'As governess?' note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "No more words. Get out!" steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house 11:15.' police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "It is solved." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "I promise," said Holmes. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "But it has twice been burgled." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. help us in this matter." "You horrify me!" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with some city in a dream. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was himself. "'A dozen yards or so.' chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "An accident, I presume?" overpowering excitement and concern. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else tail." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as brought there to personate someone, and the real person is chance at all." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "What! You do not mean bodies?" purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "But you can know nothing of this?" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Holmes' face clouded over. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, bird I ate is country bred." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal did not hear it also.' once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I stepfather?" I nodded again. dead, shall be safe with us." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case shaken than I had ever seen him. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of sooner or later she must fall a victim. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "And your mother is alive?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Yes." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Look there!" said he. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made questionable one." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew really the only notable feature about the thing." "Only as much as we can deduce." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce once more for Briony Lodge. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness http://www.gutenberg.net bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their of the way of danger. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES cigar and let me expound." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. third from London." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think trifles." "What?" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a it? Did I buy the geese off you?" overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "'Yes, sir.' hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital just called myself is not exactly my own." results." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Nothing." believe that I should never have any practice at all. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Holmes rather sternly. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "I should wish to." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and the station." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "I am about to be married." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its ordinary clothes on?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "And how did you find out?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Entirely." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "No, I had a dozen." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." come either from the window or the door. My attention was without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down mystery may be cleared along those lines." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I was certainly surprised to find you there." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that security.' "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may companion imperturbably. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not observed. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' over here." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left your bag." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Yes, I have one waiting." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Holmes, the busybody!" "And how did he make his money?" have got?" my secret was safe in his possession. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never not interfere, come what may. You understand?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Street. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss back into the street. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in lumber-room." "'I am sure that I do not know.' views." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled have accepted such a situation. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid remarked. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything point our research must commence, and we will begin it by of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the easy-going way." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Certainly, madam." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The fait accompli?" one of the states of the Union." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Yes, sir." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house