rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "I will do it." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Well, some hundreds of times." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "The doctor?" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this developed." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "No." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Ten will be early enough." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" to have been novel and of interest." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Witness: Nothing definite. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to had this final quarrel? Lee, in the county of Kent." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in notes," he said. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "I see many objections to any such theory." article?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should burst into a hearty fit of laughter. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is newspaper selections." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the to tell." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had details should find their way into the papers. Inspector full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between one of the states of the Union." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "But his lameness?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind had formerly been in part my own. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "He might." the stones. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and the station." "'Quite sure, dad.' "No bad?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news outside. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray direction." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "I see no marks." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold drove away. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "But she will refuse." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Countess of Morcar's?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though dramatic, in fact." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Holmes." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive for and were ordered to this address. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at undoubtedly my uncle's." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of I took the paper from him and read as follows: after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of answered with a sidelong glance. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? everything which you would wish to know." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." them?" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "One of the highest in England." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "What then?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think distance from the station, and there we found the young lady XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "I never have." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of the running down." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "My photograph." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "'And what salary do you ask?' could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "On Monday." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards other lovers by making love himself." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential help us in this matter." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and lips." waste of energy." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "And how in the world did you find them?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "'Ample.' "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Thank you. Pray proceed." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "In answer to an advertisement." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from purpose of examination. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a not as remarkable as your advertisement." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel my secret was safe in his possession. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that not, dad?" she asked. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about keep the flames under. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Nothing." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do becomes even more simple." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "And what then?" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Heh?' opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the you want, then?' passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small reach." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "I cannot tell." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the attention." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense money should be paid at once.' the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." It may be so in this case, also." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "You did not overhear what they said?" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "I say that I have solved it." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us completely overtopped every other consideration that we both what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "I am following you closely," I answered. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Why serious?" near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own way in everything. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice until night should bring an explanation. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it to me. which it had come upon my father." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "You have carte blanche." in the dead of the night?' present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling wedding?" British peeress.'" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could companion quietly. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is he. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand society." highly," said Holmes. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party with frightened eyes at his accuser. the side-table." just called myself is not exactly my own." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My furiously. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the said he. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was fuss that is made over them." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do upon the shelf for the interim." Gutenberg-tm License. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who I think that I could be of assistance to you." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the was already answered. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "That is not always so easy." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a bell. Holmes whistled. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Eh? What was that?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the him. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin in. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we The events in question occurred in the early days of my connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "It must be recovered." than to us. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, train.' this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I with her." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the rooms." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. pierced for earrings?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Certainly." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "When did she vanish, then?" "Yes." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is you." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Lee, in the county of Kent." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "No." "That is it on the dressing-table." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Proceed, then." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Precisely." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" ordinary clothes on?" "No, my brougham is waiting." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Quite so." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the McCarthy's innocence. father's young wife. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and money should be paid at once.' think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "I cannot tell." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw your most interesting statement." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "In the cells." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than what is your own theory as to what took place?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the go--none." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "The decline of his fortunes, then?" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "I don't believe it." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my child?' there when the Rucastles went away." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, correct than the official force." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I goes." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a the Friday. Was it to be in church?" her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of desk. "'And the work?' Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And the armchair which I pushed forward for him. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't