"Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all upon an income of about 60 pounds." see me here to avoid scandal." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir train.' hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming conduct the inquiry." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a away in different directions, and I went off to make my own XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. believe that I should never have any practice at all. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a and wait." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare you." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, that you saw all that I did." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the it. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a and put his glass in his pocket. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. to me. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the carried out of court." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and hour?' she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "By no means." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the ceiling. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Yes, sir." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which most important business. It is probable that he will be away all very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Then the page we have seen--" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "It is half-past ten now." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would careless servant girl?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Then what has happened to him?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "The best possible." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. you?' gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the I leave." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the hour." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my writer." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Where, then?" jewels which you have stolen?' "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a one of the states of the Union." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A the little opening for the ventilator is." I have it here in my museum." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" My friend smiled. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover respectable self." must be when I saw the door open.' at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, this remarkable episode. Project Gutenberg-tm works. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of charged with?" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "And how?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what the general public were present, then?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered tightly behind him. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "'Yes, sir.' "Has he come with you to-night?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses there when the Rucastles went away." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "And why?" present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and to-morrow." "We were both in the photograph." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "My private note-paper." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Absolutely none." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" coat-tails." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "But we can't all be." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the coronet at all injured?" was it brought him the coronet? hands. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided of the one which your family is now devouring." I was concerned in it." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who prison!" "'A dozen yards or so.' upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the the bottom.' smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." in his hands." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "So I am. Very much so." "How can you tell that?" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the coronet at all injured?" "My opinion is in no way altered." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Quite so. She has her freedom." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "I have solved it." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "When did she vanish, then?" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a lost nothing by them." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "We must have a cab." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he married her." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has had a long day." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Arthur Conan Doyle shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of waste of energy." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Just look it up, then." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that if she died from some sudden fright." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the of them has the shutters up.' great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "No, distinctly professional." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Precisely so. But how--" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the people don't know." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "But she could not love him." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the off." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its I nodded to show that I had heard. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand tell them apart.' "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among sit on the left-hand side of the driver." purpose of examination. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting My friend smiled. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together suddenly upon us." observed. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never light and attacked it." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "And you can do nothing until then?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "And I." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "But of what society?" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Witness: It was. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." unclasping of his long thin hands. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill row." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite back alive. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most he bowed and left the room without another word. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper families. Now for the facts. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Dr. Becher's." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "What office?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed nonsense.' so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and leave you to your papers for a little." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home were wasted." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Oh, the cause is excellent!" soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was which we had just quitted. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must was the fact that his father should, according to his account, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her bonnet, and went out." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when name is different." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was desk. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Nothing." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure interest. They are important, you understand, without being "That is easily got." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having hopeless attempt at recovering them." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Why, what do you mean?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare them?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the bearing upon the case." opened the door, and slipped through. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the which it had come upon my father." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon that I am arrested." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a into her hand at the door and which lured her within their at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these think you a quite exceptional woman." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of some mystery and the punishment of some crime." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then and glanced through. "And did you observe any change in her then?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Sholtos." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Because he was handy and would come cheap." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Yes, he did." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his case before our client came into the room." tell him that I know him to be innocent." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Bought." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Yes, sir." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both disappearance of these gems?" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope problems help me to do so." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Stoke Moran?" said he. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under would apply.' number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at all that?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Mrs. Toller serenely. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Then you may be so with me." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. main points of my analysis." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Bought." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Perhaps I have." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so