would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "And it is--" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very of the way of danger. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Pope's Court. garden below. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Entirely." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and definite end. hard-headed British jury." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." if I call to-morrow?" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, said I. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "But his left-handedness." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." keep the flames under. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Holmes." rooms." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" 1.E.9. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs light and attacked it." putting in the horse. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is business in the City. She little knew what. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. like that before?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. in his power. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the unprofitable." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of nice household for a young lady." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "In San Francisco, a year ago." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and gentleman's clothes. "None." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "His face fell immediately. fat-encircled eyes. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "My photograph." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is ill-usage at the hands of fortune. chill to my heart. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I thin legs towards the fire. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Holmes' face clouded over. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "You horrify me." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. which we had just quitted. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "The King of Scandinavia." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you I was concerned in it." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the said Mr. Holder. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that wedding?" departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "What can it mean?" I gasped. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the garden below. are windows in it, of course?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it lids now and glanced across at his visitor. his wife has ceased to love him." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." said he. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "No, finished." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit better grown goose." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by which our visitor detailed to us. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee considering the formidable letters which were received by himself figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "That sounds a little paradoxical." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "None." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "I cannot imagine." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such south, for the country is more deserted there." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "'As governess?' rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried point in the dark hollow of his hand. to tell." "'Stolen!' he cried. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what and prosperity to your house. Good-night." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR call it cruel." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark official police." a very grave face. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very unkempt, staring out at me. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw to that open window." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." conclusions. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in I held the little printed slip to the light. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He there when the Rucastles went away." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the you do it in twenty minutes!' from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying detained." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Nor running a chance of arrest?" had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "What of the rat, then?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Only as much as we can deduce." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more likely to be some crony of the landlady's." know all about it," he snarled. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to weigh very heavily upon my conscience." least a most suspicious remark." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a companion quietly. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I was lame." unclasping of his long thin hands. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and was already answered. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Yes." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, before the coroner and the police-court." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Not in the least." highroad, where all traces were lost. "What, then?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "My dear Holmes!" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." with you?" similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. think that he is innocent?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "But the mystery?" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I front of me. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Yes. He waved his hands." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my distinguish the words: that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I views." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an deduce something from that?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding disturbance in my wife." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Eyford." article?" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Deserted you?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked way in everything. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' indeed happy." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said heavy and sharp instrument." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard are windows in it, of course?" it." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "I have come for advice." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "There are none." business matters.' have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "What then?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the the Assizes." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Game for a morning drive?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence them, and came down just as you departed. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the for and were ordered to this address. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the already referred to. "A call for help, you thought?" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who the iron safe, which he closed upon it. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which became a certainty. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the garden below. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Was she in good spirits?" that I can to serve you." "Perhaps I have." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for http://www.gutenberg.net and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time which our visitor detailed to us. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: tassel actually lying upon the pillow. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions sentimental considerations in the background which would induce above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Quite so." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into extraordinary contortions. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, do.' through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about late." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Yes." sake, don't!" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with where she found matters as described by the last witness. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his mysterious business." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under conversation I have gathered that they have been married about before the coroner and the police-court." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention man. I know him from the photograph." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in anything to a woman, for she would have her way." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the so-precious time, but come!' "No legal papers or certificates?" fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was it." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "'There is a drive, then?' have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged results." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "He might." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "'What then?' I asked. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the date of his supposed suicide." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the train.' "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his some city in a dream. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled written. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent there were one or two details which were new to me. But the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Very murderous indeed."