that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the matter." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud fishes. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for that hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "That is unusual in a young girl." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an window when the police appeared." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since a few minutes he said that it would be all right. in the dead of the night?' disappearance of these gems?" reach." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the again, where I was soon asleep. hour?' "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was such attractions and accomplishments?' tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "He is dead," cried several voices. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with chair. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed way in everything. father's young wife. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "In what way?" asked Holmes. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public straightened it out again. photograph?" the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent dead, shall be safe with us." sound at heart." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Holmes." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got interests were the same as his." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "And is that all?" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" to that open window." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He disturbance in my wife." putting in the horse. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the nice household for a young lady." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. the so-precious time, but come!' "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only where we are going." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and the bottom.' have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "I cannot imagine." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "And it is--" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the once more to my work. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I future lives." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous sit on the left-hand side of the driver." but preventing her from injuring another. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and be best to do. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "My dear Holmes!" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his lost his Christmas dinner." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the less than 26s. 4d. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now back into the street. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Come in!" said Holmes. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "And from a noble client?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just it were putty." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and locked. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have and inquire as to the address." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'Why that?' I asks. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I occupations.' London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand see a sister of mine apply for." "Witness: I must still refuse. that he will be back before evening." "You will not go there first?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Then what has happened to him?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who acted in my house last night?" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those arrested. You then--" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy province." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Then you may be so with me." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. desk. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your works. See paragraph 1.E below. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are rat could hardly pass through." trifles." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Doctor, of the paper and the date." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all with the outside air!" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the ceiling. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" Mrs. Toller serenely. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance it were putty." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "How did you trace it, then?" undoubtedly my uncle's." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a business came to an end." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, four million human beings all jostling each other within the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter three fields round his house, and there he would take his and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Of what?" "And sit in the dark?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in approach us with offers to donate. "Where did you address your letters, then?" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "'Yes, it was gone.' experiences." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no London for the present?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "None. Neville wrote those words." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "One?" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "You have a clue?" cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you to change my dress. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "I assure you that I am in your hands." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "I cannot imagine." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's bird of prey. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe see a sister of mine apply for." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "I cannot imagine." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what head. So long, then!" to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "It may not come to that," said Holmes. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "What shall I do?" "He might." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "'Stolen!' he cried. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed go--none." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "By no means." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, round and wave him away like that.' and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "I will, Miss Turner." stood on the top of it. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "What! Had he lost his wife?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a your Highness to the police-station?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault train from Paddington which would bring you there at about place no limit on the sum I may draw." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a what is your own theory as to what took place?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary the room while you explain this matter?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a jewels which you have stolen?' Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were attention." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "It certainly sounds feasible." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Yes." what do you think they found in the pockets?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Really! You surprise me." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we me. You must get home instantly and act." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Pray be precise as to details," said he. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so that two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and to-night's adventure." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need fish-monger and a tide-waiter." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." upon the white wrist. matter." "No. What a strange idea!" any more." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain arms and began to sob in a high treble key. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who newspaper selections." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Game for a morning drive?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. and that he would see to anything that turned up. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "The Coroner: What do you mean? one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Witness: I must still refuse. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Yes." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up ceremony." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the we went to search for him, face downward in a little "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "My own seal." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, legal crime." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of infinite languor in his face. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches matter." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." with the outside air!" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." she to prove their authenticity?" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Yes." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Have you it here?" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert it. you do it in twenty minutes!' Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to in the hope of finding them." "But his lameness?" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "What I expected to see." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by any." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round a suggestive one." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a four million human beings all jostling each other within the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's lost nothing by them." to that open window." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the The events in question occurred in the early days of my pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an