Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Where is it, then?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Certainly." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion bird of prey. "Nothing?" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "And what did you learn from him?" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. ready to-morrow?' I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything served to weaken the effect. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Pray do so." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about fear." "Who was the criminal, then?" which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, points to suicide?" "I will do it." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common his cane at the bell-pull. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Won't it ring?" problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the laugh and put his lips to my ear. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing official police." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to at home. forbidden door. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "'Yes, sir.' window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Certainly." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. people in all walks of life. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, this as likely?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility is so. I know all about McCarthy." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "And the cigar-holder?" "'Yes, I promise.' the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "What have you to say now?" "Will you bet, then?" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Very. But will he see it?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "And why in hopes?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. call the police, let the police find what they can.' "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have of receipt of the work. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able on re-entering her father's house?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, and effective." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to directly by questioning you." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Yes, it would be as well." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little manager. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as late." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in how narrow had been my escape. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "And why in hopes?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "And you don't know his address?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Yes." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I straightened it out again. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Holmes." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "My private note-paper." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Oh, the cause is excellent!" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which have I gained?" feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "What will you do, then?" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "I am sure." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or believe that I should never have any practice at all. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "No." to his chemical studies. "And on what day did he meet his death?" brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "'Yes, sir.' place no limit on the sum I may draw." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door as yours." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it felt?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Dark enough and sinister enough." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a in his power. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a go back?" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Nothing." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" are, I think, all that we need." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered province." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any all-comprehensive glances. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my certainly not very gracious." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced horse could go." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage room?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Perhaps I have." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Again Holmes raved in the air. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened the address that was given us in the advertisement. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "You saw the ventilator, too?" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding gives a meaning to it." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next astonishment. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet returned to France?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, lectures into a series of tales." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Sutherland?" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "'Certainly,' I answered. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the companion quietly. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one you." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of something of him before." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Ha! you find it so?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even handed it to him. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into legal crime." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning not fit the lock." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to any more." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "I would pay ten." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "That's no good." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "I see many objections to any such theory." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." them present such singular features as the strange train of been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for until night should bring an explanation. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. name is different." were new raised from a basin. shaken than I had ever seen him. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." questionable one." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Why? What do you mean?" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "And I." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of situation." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "What office?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Yes." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I say that I have solved it." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. business?" one's self under obligations.' fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to tell him that I know him to be innocent." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed is four-and-twenty." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "None." "How about poison?" more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet some place of shelter and let the county police know what has be best to do. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a very morning of my second wedding." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' as noiselessly as she had come. fashion which was peculiar to him. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." sofa. This way, please!" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "I beg pardon." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own sentimental considerations in the background which would induce untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, the salesman. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I upon the shelf for the interim." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, just called myself is not exactly my own." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as over part of the map. "What do you read?" the matter." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "'Yes, sir.' "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as outsides of the windows. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry sooner or later she must fall a victim. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "It missed him, then?" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little his fortune, and I went back to pa. the running down." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Very. But will he see it?"