"Nothing." "What!" he roared. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "I cannot imagine." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall answer." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of cheerful." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Indeed! Whose, then?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but that houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Oh, yes, easily." "But you can know nothing of this?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was mystery may be cleared along those lines." you understand?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Sutherland?" "She told me to ask you." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a death." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "No." digesting their breakfasts at home." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier at a side door. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all annoyance, but no jest. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "I cannot tell." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the redistribution. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of in. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. of the way of danger. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Quite so." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too business." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "'And the work?' "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would bedroom door." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting sneer upon his pale face. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it clang of the bell. derbies." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of closely." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Your sister is dead, then?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, and that he would see to anything that turned up. Countess of Morcar's?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how that he will be back before evening." outbreak?" occupations.' are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the generous with you in money matters.' that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the already referred to. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your During two years I have had three consultations and one small Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I whether it answered to the description of any of their downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." do.' comes from the middle window." very morning of my second wedding." the stones. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you acted in my house last night?" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to good-night and bustled off upon her way. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came present." note?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "The Coroner: What do you mean? successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not the stable lane now." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' to change my dress. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from better in every way that they should make their position a little http://www.gutenberg.net confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "But his left-handedness." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door yourselves in at night?" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, himself to hunt down. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "I see no marks." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "'Most admirably.' John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "What can it mean?" I gasped. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if silent! Oh, he will be silent!' from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an never to learn it at all." generous with you in money matters.' observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow ordinary clothes on?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then room?" showing my impatience. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Come in!" said Holmes. "One of the highest in England." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by brain must have something in it." nice household for a young lady." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin very peculiar words of the dying woman?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." depend upon my doing so.' "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "And why in hopes?" assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to it means?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet as yours." "Yes, all." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly it." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." direction." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another himself in a perplexing position. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and our word." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all do.' that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay where we are going." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment goes." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Did you become engaged then?" town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "But I am all in the dark." this as likely?" "The doctor?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and said he. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. was keenly on my guard against him. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for lost his Christmas dinner." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "But it has twice been burgled." "Have you it here?" "And how did you verify them?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached highly," said Holmes. your only hope of safety." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored against a man in the prime of life?" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had cigars in their mouths. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from upon the shelf for the interim." business?" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "And is that all?" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I next day. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is man. I know him from the photograph." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that prove to be little relation between the different incidents of and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by walking." the stable lane now." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which now. It seems that there had been some informality about their down. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar asked. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his and looked back. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "That is unusual in a young girl." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled attention." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "'A dozen yards or so.' was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to bachelor.' it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building which we had just quitted. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said tear off another piece?' and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as are, I think, all that we need." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "You saw the ventilator, too?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" chair. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how garden below. tail." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her beyond words. "And when will you call?" six. Come in!" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of be.' I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I shoulder. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "I came to find a friend." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' that I may have something better before very many minutes are "And I." "So I heard. You have him here?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "The vanishing of the lady." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know be. I shall continue with my miserable story. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the weary and pale-looking. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." pictures, libraries, or plate. you do it in twenty minutes!' and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "I think that I had better go, Holmes." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Just look it up, then." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the side-table." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at made him keep the appointment." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a think that he is innocent?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of disappearance of these gems?" charge against him will break down." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "I cannot imagine." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "That's no good." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the him and tried to hold him back. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Holmes rather sternly. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the together. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "It is possible." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Ah, but I was recommended to you." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or singular points about the case. What did the police think of the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business you in yours." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of placed his cuttings. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always