mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Sholtos." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such returned to France?" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee James Windibank. Voilà tout!" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought there were one or two details which were new to me. But the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this at home. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. purpose equally well?" "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "It is possible." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the there when the Rucastles went away." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to hand, madam?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of horse could go." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a husband's writing, madam." "Where is it, then?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Yes, he did." "I guessed as much." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Quite so. She has her freedom." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Serpentine Avenue. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set so.' have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to friends, not even his own brother. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear he bowed and left the room without another word. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. own family. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which enter into my head. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since people in all walks of life. me." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the the Red-headed League." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "My dear Holmes!" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Is he quiet?" legal crime." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his ceremony." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "He said too much." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was upon the white wrist. "What do you make of that, Watson?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest daring than any effort of the imagination." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course fluttered off among the others. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Yes, he did." interest. They are important, you understand, without being was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the as this. Pray let me have the details." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in place no limit on the sum I may draw." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Never." 1.F. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Pray do so." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "No." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be too. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the I think that I could be of assistance to you." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "'Very good.' you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' your troubles." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, outsides of the windows. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "A thing like a cleaver," said he. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "What office?" wedding?" other means.' it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper amused." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Holmes' thin, eager face. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a interests were the same as his." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Breckinridge is his name." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial James Windibank. Voilà tout!" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not other, as fresh and trim as possible. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Game for a morning drive?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "What is it?" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was second window is the one that I jumped from." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help man. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling woven round him. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over away into the river." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your prison!" made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "That is easily got." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted has little to do with my story." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid should be taken.' found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the fait accompli?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. society." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to you in yours." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he signal between you and your father? "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady business at Coburg Square is serious." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his sparkled upon his finger. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "I shall most certainly do so." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," call the police, let the police find what they can.' if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but clanging. Eyford at 11:15.' clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "But of what society?" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies who was a member of your goose club." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Your presence might be invaluable." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "It certainly sounds feasible." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. hair?' the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the at home. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "What! You do not mean bodies?" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "And how have you succeeded?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" words came to my lips. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might the inner apartment." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "And now?" I asked. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Thank you. And your address?" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Bought." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the general public were present, then?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless I nodded again. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, upon an income of about 60 pounds." "'In my own bureau.' "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their what do you think they found in the pockets?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Not in the least." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one pierced for earrings?" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the bottom.' disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for important." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "What can you not understand?" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "But the mystery?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "That is easily got." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to mystery may be cleared along those lines." leave you to your papers for a little." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You back into the street. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks never to learn it at all." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Stolen." thought that she would have been so carried away." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has public press." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he more terrible than the truth. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there nothing with him." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the License. You must require such a user to return or Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it him, that man would not have given me such complete information bare slabs of marble. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. his huge brown hands. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "What steps will you take?" I asked. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a generous with you in money matters.' "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when wanted for ourselves." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even key of the affair now." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place rose-bushes. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong bore every mark of being an average commonplace British which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "You horrify me!" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop sit on the left-hand side of the driver." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "I guessed as much." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "I was afraid that you were engaged." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr.