of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "The landlord of the Alpha." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Why did you beat the pavement?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "He might." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Well, it is a possible supposition." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their business." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "And your father? Did you tell him?" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate fashion which was peculiar to him. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "You have compromised yourself seriously." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever woven round him. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "I cannot tell." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Of what?" have I gained?" breakfast and whispered something to her husband. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Certainly, madam." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was chemical work which was so dear to him. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "You are hungry," I remarked. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "How did you trace it, then?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which remarked. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "The landlord of the Alpha." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" better in every way that they should make their position a little forbidden door. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I your sleep?' difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, golden eyeglasses. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora derbies." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." where she found matters as described by the last witness. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Eyford." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and there." side. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Yes, at the mines." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my pressing in one house as in another. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely papers." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself looking up at the numbers of the houses." to have that photograph." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater there in twenty minutes." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices me. You must get home instantly and act." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his served to weaken the effect. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon morning." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those acted in my house last night?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "We have tried and failed." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." instincts rose up against that laugh. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Yes." third from London." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how infinite languor in his face. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. shall not find me ungrateful." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "But to whom?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so call it cruel." arrested. You then--" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "The doctor?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Did your wife hear all this?" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "No, distinctly professional." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "No, I had a dozen." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the humiliation." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Why did you beat the pavement?" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "He said too much." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by man. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector disappearance of the bride.'" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Again Holmes raved in the air. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as suggested at once that there must be a communication between the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Yes." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day union?" straightened it out again. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his crackling voice. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be your troubles." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Will you go?" I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Yes, it would be as well." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a spare." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." upon an income of about 60 pounds." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, ago." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off forecastle of an emigrant ship. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy asked. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and place of silver." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "You think that he is dead?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "I guessed as much." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the these bleak autumnal evenings." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten I shall communicate with you." is acting for the best. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the manager. your own bird, so if you wish--" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." there!' those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said fait accompli?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were enter Dr. Roylott's room." "'Yes.' "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, the general public were present, then?" the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "What, then?" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my he. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Did you observe the colour?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten have one." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save bare slabs of marble. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to heavy and sharp instrument." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. as this. Pray let me have the details." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Very. But will he see it?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his all that?" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to examine." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "'Yes, it was gone.' day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in nonsense.' "Yes." the tragedy. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time place no limit on the sum I may draw." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' stood on the top of it. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you of this gang." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "No more words. Get out!" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been companion imperturbably. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of newspaper selections." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the make me his representative both with the servants and with the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. plantation.' and a shock of very red hair. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is rose-bushes. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should placed his cuttings. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that you, my dear young lady?' the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. asked. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Countess of Morcar's?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Very. But will he see it?" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. tear off another piece?' voice, changing her seat as requested. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from 11:15.' from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself husband's writing, madam." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the indeed happy." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "There are none." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "It is very clear." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and what is your own theory as to what took place?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by good-night and bustled off upon her way. the date of his supposed suicide." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not where she found matters as described by the last witness. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the village inn over there?" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "And leave your case unfinished?" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "So I have heard." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "But I am all in the dark." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your standing smiling on the door-step. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about