"Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Where does the thing come from?' closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with him." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "How on earth--" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "'And the work?' "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought were wasted." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? unkempt, staring out at me. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Clair, of Lee." Holmes. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "And you thought he was pulled back?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an brain must have something in it." and inquire as to the address." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon telegram would bring me down to your help." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "But I am all in the dark." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which new acquaintance to Baker Street. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay note?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had developed." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A anything to a woman, for she would have her way." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you of the way of danger. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting which our visitor detailed to us. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Only as much as we can deduce." "About a month then." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more things are very often connected not with the larger but with the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. fluttered off among the others. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "How are you getting on?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held held up the lantern and gazed about him. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "What steps will you take?" I asked. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Oh, yes, easily." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it nonsense.' quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, promised to bring home. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the do." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and over his head with a sweet womanly caress. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, money should be paid at once.' seen the man in the road." the best of training." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Then what has happened to him?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger obstinate." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "We must have a cab." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. little adventures." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case night.' said he. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the The events in question occurred in the early days of my "No." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. felt?" second." "I would give my fortune to have them back." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not persecution?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "'There is a drive, then?' successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Munro.' "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few go--none." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "And did you observe any change in her then?" and your relations to her." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. hands. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge said he at last. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast asked with his eyes open. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped enough to aid us in our search." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough his fortune, and I went back to pa. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "May I see it?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "And help." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough meant it for the best. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "What is it, then--a fire?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, from you?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "By train from Waterloo." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "You have a clue?" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "'Entirely.' maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "What of the rat, then?" "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Absolutely?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, time." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "It is possible." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which fatally injured? Holmes' face clouded over. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police me." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must again on its way. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into of a light. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, o'clock is it?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have you?' "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "I would pay ten." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic had no one to advise her at such a crisis." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love key of the affair now." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This to a light-house. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, mystery!" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley I nodded again. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Nothing?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached to that open window." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Who by?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but the roots. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A to talk it over. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock is a common subject for conversation. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' papers diligently of late, have you not?" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "And on what day did he meet his death?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Did you observe the colour?" before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the you, my dear young lady?' feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the house for five minutes.' her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very your troubles." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were desk. province." invisible to me," I remarked. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "One?" "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "But she could not love him." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "This concluded the examination of the witness." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would voice. for its centre. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just to-morrow." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "The Cedars?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "And when will you call?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "I am about to be married." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "In the cells." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he opened the door, and slipped through. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. leave you to your papers for a little." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. outbreak?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES character. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Yes. He waved his hands." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend husband's writing, madam." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Has he come with you to-night?" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "It surprised me." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the over with notes and figures. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is singular points about the case. What did the police think of the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Yes, sir." be. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "An enemy?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of is now desirous of getting those letters back." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "It was a confession," I ejaculated. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just a monotonous occupation." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the hereditary King of Bohemia." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of events, Mr. Windibank!" in my life." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into future lives." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very I took the paper from him and read as follows: common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug wedding?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, of a light. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has useful material for showing traces. The double line a little His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "'Yes.' there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be,