Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." were unconscious?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Perhaps I have." indeed which he could not unravel. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," there was no need for father to know." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to then?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Well, but China?" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon I shall communicate with you." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I American. Then who could this American be, and why should he company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond notes," he said. was lame." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the you want, then?' I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Then you may entirely rely on me." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was it right.' "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, to me. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they his eyes and forehead. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I fashion which was peculiar to him. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Miss Holder?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "She will not sell." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "No?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two From what you have told me I think that it is possible that and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "And your father? Did you tell him?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has been anything against him. He had for years been known as a wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the then?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "No." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 beyond words. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every three fields round his house, and there he would take his out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a what these perils are?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so him and tried to hold him back. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the station." gone before you can get him to hospital." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Which are?" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though at my own good fortune. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and Project Gutenberg-tm works. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I the side-table." both be extremely obliged.' play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and problems help me to do so." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that three of the beryls in it, was missing. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "And you can do nothing until then?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by to-morrow." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of weigh very heavily upon my conscience." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "I assure you that I am in your hands." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must whole matter to your consideration." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the keep the flames under. "You forget that I know nothing about it." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King your Highness to the police-station?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Is he quiet?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "'Very good.' "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. detained." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were less than 26s. 4d. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "A client, then?" swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," call for protection in the marriage market, for the present wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of voice, changing her seat as requested. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Frequently." "And from a noble client?" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray the dangers which encompass me." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and said he at last. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "You were travelling in the States?" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence affair. Holmes' thin, eager face. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower ourselves in the office." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." arrangements." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America such person." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight I was concerned in it." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being lectures into a series of tales." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little chamber." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Yes, but only for you and me." key of the affair now." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no locked." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. her also." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Well, some hundreds of times." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. to have that photograph." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny quite distinctive." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria was used.' strength." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Was there a secret marriage?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the present." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate sparkled upon his finger. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and I took the paper from him and read as follows: investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I was shining brightly. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "You did not overhear what they said?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Two days later this same performance was gone through under already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "'I am sure that I do not know.' Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "It must be recovered." "Then I can wait in the next room." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "My private note-paper." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many papers diligently of late, have you not?" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "I was sure that I might rely on you." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have my former friend and companion. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the stood on the top of it. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always his fortune, and I went back to pa. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding have not had my rubber." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely power." one's self under obligations.' other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "He might." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at read it out to me." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Witness: Nothing definite. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. of Fenchurch Street." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." beyond words. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could it." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "We were both in the photograph." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "About a month then." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms shoulder; "he's all right." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you detective. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "She showed me, as I told you she would." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "That is also quite modern," said the lady. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the a monotonous occupation." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much any more." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project written, and locked the door of the office after me. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. following enigmatical notices: "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by on re-entering her father's house?" speckled band?" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the 1.F. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Then how many are there?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "What office?" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Yes, there are nearly always some there." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," and that he would see to anything that turned up. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "That is also quite modern," said the lady. hour?' public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried allusion to a rat. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have used to be." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should and shall probably return to London by the evening train." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem results." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." shoulder; "he's all right." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the sooner or later she must fall a victim. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the occurred." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a and the colonel ushered me in. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you