"Where, indeed?" could gather together that I was able to avert another public I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, room. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Yes, he did." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "But you would not advise me to refuse?" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears are, and they are waiting for us." present." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall front of me. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Proceed, then." article?" "To the police?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "'Ten to two.' Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had presented more singular features than that which was associated I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his in his power. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present to a more successful conclusion." washing it down with a long draught of water. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest writer." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Leadenhall Street--and--" developed." status with the IRS. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose dear old homesteads?" "I should like to see him very much." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Yes." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Yes." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Why did you beat the pavement?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. see me here to avoid scandal." the very morning of the wedding." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all name is different." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Stoke Moran." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have your most interesting statement." "What do you make of that, Watson?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting daring than any effort of the imagination." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "I think it very unlikely." bachelor.' woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Look there!" said he. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Then what has happened to him?" Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in in the port of London." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I putting in the horse. "Bought." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from business at Coburg Square is serious." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few taking in every detail of the apartment. my room." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. shaken than I had ever seen him. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you out of this horrible affair." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" done what I asked you, Jones?" arrested. You then--" the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion tell him that I know him to be innocent." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "There is the writing." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Oh, yes, easily." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your showing my impatience. someone who had been in Australia." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of call the police, let the police find what they can.' given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the and it need not interfere very much with one's other reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle sentimental considerations in the background which would induce performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular this unhappy family?" Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. think you a quite exceptional woman." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that floor. "How many? I don't know." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "On the contrary, this is the right side." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No became a certainty. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black she has been waylaid. There has been no result." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a you." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer test if we have an answer to our advertisement." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "We must sit without light. He would see it through the III. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "VIOLET HUNTER." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the his huge brown hands. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when Henry Baker is a member." to you." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his sentimental considerations in the background which would induce glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a very old mansion. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are entirely devoid of interest." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Certainly." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended tail." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to stood on the top of it. against a man in the prime of life?" Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to what I may call a really hard day's work." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." remarked. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "I am in hopes that she does." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the not come at once?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, The police have openly confessed that they can at present make I held the little printed slip to the light. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by nights." "Very much so." have got?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the front of me. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "How did you deduce the select?" populous neighbourhood." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a she to prove their authenticity?" affair. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Did you observe the colour?" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for walking." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Not him." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "The doctor?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just was lame." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to himself to tell his story. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the speckled band?" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Entirely." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "'Entirely.' down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, husband's writing, madam." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed felt the room to be a little close.' enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "It looks newer than the other things?" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a there is a decided draught." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, fact, we may call it conclusive." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "She showed me, as I told you she would." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "No more words. Get out!" that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." to take care of herself." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Where did you address your letters, then?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the it with his own hands." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Was she in good spirits?" figure." go back?" It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove village inn over there?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed there has been an enclosure here!" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the awkward doing business with an alias." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut directors have had misgivings upon the subject." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a telegram would bring me down to your help." strode off upon his way. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, voice. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "It is no ordinary one." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the the address that was given us in the advertisement. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "What?" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "My opinion is in no way altered." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor lamp in his hand. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common this man was intellectual?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out will find little credit to be gained out of this case." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "What then?" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search breakfast and whispered something to her husband. feature." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Then you may entirely rely on me." "So I am. Very much so." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "And from a noble client?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself hour?' had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "But she could not love him." "Yes, all." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' not as remarkable as your advertisement." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the weary and pale-looking. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "That also I could fathom." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." over with notes and figures. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort evidence," I remarked. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George