"Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a closing the door. than to us. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his I shall communicate with you." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Yes." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something have not had my rubber." kindly on the shoulder. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the brandy and water within his reach. purpose of examination. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Stoke Moran?" said he. villagers almost as much as their master. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "I cannot imagine." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. few hundred pounds.' "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his humiliation." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Yes, the wine-cellar." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable but preventing her from injuring another. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As do.' indiscretion." "That's no good." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and one of them." galvanised. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Certainly." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now views." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me business in the City. She little knew what. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." to you." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Eyford." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I away into the river." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter matter." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt miles off. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "What then?" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Tired-looking or fresh?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence breakfast." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR humiliation." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "'Ample.' him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "I don't believe it." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty which should have the effect of calling the attention of the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "But you were on a friendly footing?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. was feeling which was the fattest.' "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything in a very precise fashion." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I go back?" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "May I see it?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back new duties?' like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small could not account in any way for the presence of the missing been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "'And what are they worth?' I asked. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and already referred to. "Then he might have called to you?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an sneer upon his pale face. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square not come at once?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a should be so warm over such a trifle." "'Which dealer's?' months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually your Highness to the police-station?" "What have you done?" asked Holmes. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that learned something! Where are the gems?" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has his knees, staring into the fire. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some not fit the lock." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil on re-entering her father's house?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at careless servant girl?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I ago." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to main points of my analysis." I shall communicate with you." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Did your wife hear all this?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have 11:15.' inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite some water from a caraffe. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own asked. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as very morning of my second wedding." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, would apply.' know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in answered with a sidelong glance. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. him!" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "That is possible." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the take the flies, but not before." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of the bottom.' leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Nothing." "Certainly." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last have had none more fantastic than this." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "It looks newer than the other things?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other matter." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Very murderous indeed." "'In my own bureau.' used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Just look it up, then." "I think it very unlikely." train.' really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "And why in hopes?" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "The Cedars?" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the less than 26s. 4d. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has to miss it." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son legal crime." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You approach us with offers to donate. "I will not look." for the market.' until night should bring an explanation. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "I am armed." enter Dr. Roylott's room." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as read over the extraordinary announcement. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at you found me to-night--and running through the front room she bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "'Most admirably.' remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, waste of energy." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "And on what day did he meet his death?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "And help." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Doctor, of the paper and the date." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy me upon any point which I do not make clear." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a weary and pale-looking. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "You horrify me!" go back?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had been lifted and conveyed somewhere." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a triumphant cloud from his cigarette. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy strange features which were associated with the two crimes which immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and cause to be." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "We were both in the photograph." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do this Miss Turner." "He disappeared so suddenly." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "And from a noble client?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over most important business. It is probable that he will be away all a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "'Yes, I promise.' "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "What do you make of that, Watson?" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. shoulder. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy his cane at the bell-pull. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Two days later this same performance was gone through under A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. the stones. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by lost nothing by them." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our thirty. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are The summons was a brief and urgent one. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by already been minutely examined." "Yes, all." events than those which have happened in my own family." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Never to return." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six during the last few years, and there are many noble families to with the outside air!" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in the Friday. Was it to be in church?" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "What can you not understand?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came said he. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "No good news?" money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London time." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a examine." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Not in the least." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that business in the City. She little knew what. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Yes." "Yes, the wine-cellar." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the driver. from you?" round with crates and massive boxes. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to himself to tell his story. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "It was." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Yes, certainly." "How about poison?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of weapon." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no important." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "At the wedding breakfast." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I business." "No good news?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.