every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 his huge brown hands. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss lost nothing by them." appointment with me for six o'clock?" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me made him keep the appointment." are windows in it, of course?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "To an end?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the bed, and you in that chair." or other trace. But how on earth--" "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, the very morning of the wedding." she used." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the yourselves in at night?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' little adventures." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which stepfather?" for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive in your London, you will know that the office of the company is eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Murdered?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "So I have heard." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "But how did you gain them?" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, true." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "None." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum for and were ordered to this address. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He look dissatisfied." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "And why in hopes?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "'What do you call purely nominal?' whether it answered to the description of any of their His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "And when will you call?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "A confidential servant?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that I shall continue with my miserable story. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of you, my dear young lady?' Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & question," said Holmes, smiling. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Holmes." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Certainly." "Very. But will he see it?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to had a long day." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I bedroom door." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "On the contrary, this is the right side." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be held up the lantern and gazed about him. your troubles." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in me, and I could not think that his explanation of the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "I have come for advice." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. in a very precise fashion." answer." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. You want to know what became of those geese?" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is was a perfect sample of the class. opened the door, and slipped through. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "What then?" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "I see no marks." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Young McCarthy must be got off, however." about. in a very precise fashion." "Did you become engaged then?" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Yes." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "'What, the red-headed man?' can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "May I see it?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Yes, I have one waiting." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE fatally injured? will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, point in the dark hollow of his hand. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Not in the least." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Is he quiet?" "And I to find an enemy." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly stalked out of the room. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "'Yes, I promise.' of the way of danger. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive events, Mr. Windibank!" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Thank you. Pray proceed." any more." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "VIOLET HUNTER." Stoke Moran." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "He said that you could solve anything." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of other, as fresh and trim as possible. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "At half-wages, in fact." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Why serious?" back to my heart. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up said he. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to orange pips. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has conversation I have gathered that they have been married about Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their main points of my analysis." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "It was an hour's good drive." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "No." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "I cannot say that I have." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the brain must have something in it." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door His name is Francis Prosper." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "'What then?' I asked. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "How often?" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "'Is purely nominal.' noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Here?" people don't know." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I do." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would do.' practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for shall use the carriage to-night." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with things are very often connected not with the larger but with the which it had come upon my father." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There the bottom.' "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those I shall communicate with you." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Then how many are there?" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with occurred." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a IS faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Dirty?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in late." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover my little problems." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair speckled band?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and tied." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and breakfast and whispered something to her husband. breakfast?" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "He slept on the premises." his cane at the bell-pull. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary what is your own theory as to what took place?" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "But your client--" having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little hereditary King of Bohemia." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably posted to-day." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with way in." to a light-house. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Can I be of assistance?" the little opening for the ventilator is." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat train from Paddington which would bring you there at about cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the went to the Alpha were town bred." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of to affect your life." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Yes, only one." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over him to go away.' "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to yet." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security through." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' business?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him the very letters. But what is this written above them?' empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Then what has happened to him?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week he died? he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Just look it up, then." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he all that?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the prisoner's face. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "On Monday." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the the nursery. "He said that you could solve anything." as noiselessly as she had come. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that hard-headed British jury." nothing with him." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in your equipment. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Have you it here?" enough to aid us in our search." "So I am. Very much so." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "None." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Murdered?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my