"Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "'What then?' I asked. crackling voice. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be His smile broadened. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." row." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, fatally injured? to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." reach." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with gbnewby@pglaf.org worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my feature." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "But how?" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage prove to be little relation between the different incidents of narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "How about poison?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "The decline of his fortunes, then?" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Why serious?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked to arrive at through this?" quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "And what did you learn from him?" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, brought there to personate someone, and the real person is quite distinctive." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to with frightened eyes at his accuser. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that during which he might have communicated with his friend the within hail.' "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white their singular warning or token before them when starting upon any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your existence." point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Then how many are there?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I correct than the official force." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike again." if I call to-morrow?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." of them has the shutters up.' of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Entirely." telegram would bring me down to your help." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Do you know him?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am obstinate." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "No, I am descending." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Where, indeed?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of fuss that is made over them." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and distinguish the words: fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and views." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding obstinate." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "What office?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "You think that he is dead?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" and looked back. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Dirty?" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" on in his house." you." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella to miss it." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in way in." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are him nearly every evening." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand an introduction to him?" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "'No, I know no one in these parts.' to Leatherhead. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me must compliment you." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too should be so warm over such a trifle." writing, and yet I know it well." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a you give your casting vote to?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is once more for Briony Lodge. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A weighed down with some great anxiety. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting undoubtedly my uncle's." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital carriage. It was a chestnut." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "I will not look." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "I never have." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "'I am sure if I had known--' to tackle the facts." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "'A dozen yards or so.' be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in skylight. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Nothing?" Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," showing my impatience. unprofitable." cigars in the box." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "She will not sell." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question father's place of business?" "In answer to an advertisement." morning." of the way of danger. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. cause to be." hurried away. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. outsides of the windows. three of the beryls in it, was missing. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for to talk it over. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one fat-encircled eyes. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "My photograph." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, felt the room to be a little close.' gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, the address that was given us in the advertisement. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would the iron safe, which he closed upon it. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "'And the work?' that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. the bottom.' but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases have had none more fantastic than this." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "I assure you that I am in your hands." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to my friend's incisive reasoning. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "That you are never beaten." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, of it with the greatest attention. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. corner of the building. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I empty. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest he bowed and left the room without another word. residence of the great financier. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "And how in the world did you find them?" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" said Mr. Holder. "This concluded the examination of the witness." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "It surprised me." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Why? What do you mean?" and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "And for present expenses?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your to talk it over. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a because she had spent so short a time in this country that she prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it take the flies, but not before." she used." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Lestrade of Scotland Yard." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who to arrive at through this?" had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a did not hear it also.' air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Murdered?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was cup of tea. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy breakfast." chill to my heart. arrested. You then--" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss other means.' The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you enter into my head. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your people in all walks of life. do.' that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of the warnings." very morning of my second wedding." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. interests were the same as his." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now closely." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I security.' even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced could not account in any way for the presence of the missing I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "We have tried and failed." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "You are all wrong." them, and came down just as you departed. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or minor matters until to-morrow." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about the inner apartment."