"And why?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so absolutely follow my advice in every respect." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "The King of Scandinavia." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best wife's character?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some skylight. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and coroner's jury." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were and a shock of very red hair. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon place no limit on the sum I may draw." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." is a common subject for conversation. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I better in every way that they should make their position a little opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "And on what day did he meet his death?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "My last client of the sort was a king." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be stalked out of the room. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. started for the Temple to see my husband. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "It is very kind of you." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most down from London to inquire more deeply into it." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying spark where all is dark to me." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for unclasping of his long thin hands. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Certainly." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "'About the same.' for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. my former friend and companion. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Pray do so." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Not particularly." entirely devoid of interest." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the father's place of business?" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said question. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you must be when I saw the door open.' interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, you came in." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Imitated." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "I don't say that. Perhaps." in a very precise fashion." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Was there a secret marriage?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." where we are going." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was row." heavy and sharp instrument." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw in. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "My photograph." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Never." ordinary clothes on?" "Your sister is dead, then?" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and strength of mind to control. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Ah, but I was recommended to you." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "I am to be neutral?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Imitated." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice me, and I could not think that his explanation of the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated said he, "my real name is James Ryder." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg to surprise her." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Not in a good cause." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass everything which you would wish to know." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "What can it mean?" I gasped. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution an introduction to him?" flock.' "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES most important business. It is probable that he will be away all to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was main points of my analysis." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my to some other building. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Then I can wait in the next room." Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide any little problem which you may submit to me." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "What, then?" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded just called myself is not exactly my own." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "About a month then." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square arrested. You then--" "The Coroner: What do you mean? reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all best detective that ever lived. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the or in danger--" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "And did you observe any change in her then?" "It surprised me." side. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which I. went to the Alpha were town bred." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE secret." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Did your wife hear all this?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to points in connection with it which never have been, and probably intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "The rest you will leave in our hands." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "And for present expenses?" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No that that?' enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose weighed down with some great anxiety. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" your bag." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were disappearance of these gems?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Have you it here?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so the matter." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could astonishment. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's this man was intellectual?" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied the roots. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned you understand?" peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Of what day?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Then he might have called to you?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "And who is her maid?" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been is worth.' unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." copied or distributed: innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "About a month then." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more enter Dr. Roylott's room." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the long narrative. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "'What would be the hours?' I asked. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." indiscretion." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "The Coroner: What do you mean? unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being village inn over there?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward me what he had done with the three missing stones. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "You will not go there first?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which felt?" so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Yes." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and good for you to do.' cigars in the box." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were said he at last. outside. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was name is different." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "That sounds a little paradoxical." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Where did he live, then?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his during which he might have communicated with his friend the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, tapping his fingers upon the table. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Never." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very garden below. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was on in his house." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' about. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was front of the hall door has given its name to the place. business at Coburg Square is serious." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked