"You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your What do you deduce from it?" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in brain must have something in it." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Whose house is it?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Farm upon the left." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. License. You must require such a user to return or during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "VIOLET HUNTER." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. key turn in the lock." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "I have hopes." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. I held the little printed slip to the light. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that to that open window." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. which are rolled in Rotterdam." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "A greater distance to travel." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish did not hear it also.' cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, congenial hunt. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had is a common subject for conversation. For additional contact information: broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "How often?" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." His smile broadened. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I whatever might befall. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "He is dead," cried several voices. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was he bowed and left the room without another word. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "That is also quite modern," said the lady. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the like that before?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him of the one which your family is now devouring." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your ashen face. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of pierced for earrings?" "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and it." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by strange features which were associated with the two crimes which the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be the station." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! soul! here is her carriage at the door." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The Eyford at 11:15.' "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a politicians who had been sent down from the North. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Holmes rather sternly. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you children over to America with him, so that I found myself without leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite had picked up in the wood. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet is four-and-twenty." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold heavily into it. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just since then to throw any light upon what became of him." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew him and tried to hold him back. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My father's place of business?" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project tightly behind him. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been asked. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "To ruin me." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should returning from some small jollification and was making his way of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "I will do it." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "To ruin me." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Seven!" I answered. and inquire as to the address." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were looking up at the numbers of the houses." "How do you know, then?" your room." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Yes, only one." vault. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Dirty?" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Then I shall certainly come." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the even so self-evident a thing as that." following enigmatical notices: "Here?" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making This is what he says: my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital when you have done it." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "No, but the enclosure is." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of chill to my heart. indeed which he could not unravel. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much feature." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." fat-encircled eyes. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a fattened it expressly for you.' "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "But not more so than I to find you." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "By no means." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. disturbance in my wife." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the when you have done it." kindly on the shoulder. grasp, he hurried from the room. know all about it," he snarled. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Witness: Nothing definite. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the recover the gem." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "But his left-handedness." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "So it appears." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, galvanised. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "None." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Who was the criminal, then?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "You don't mind breaking the law?" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box what these perils are?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the of it with the greatest attention. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "'Yes, sir.' wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "By no means." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a of a light. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Breckinridge is his name." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly any." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he is a common subject for conversation. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Your presence might be invaluable." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that characteristics, but those are the more obvious." It may be so in this case, also." the coroner come to?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me crime." ready to-morrow?' could gather together that I was able to avert another public and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora it." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently lids now and glanced across at his visitor. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "He is dead," cried several voices. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the that he has suffered." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads mystery!" machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear all-comprehensive glances. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "I would pay ten." views." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a said I. "In which, sir?" greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up geese which you supplied to the Alpha." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man should be taken.' Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "You are certainly joking, Holmes." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in until night should bring an explanation. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "But she will refuse." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between take the flies, but not before." "None." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." hands. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined detained." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "'Where could I find him?' secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away out of this horrible affair." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Quite so." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "I fear not." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." even of instruction." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "It is very kind of you." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." attention." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "When did she vanish, then?" presume?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies