my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "And how did you verify them?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A you came in." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Certainly." chair. asked. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing said he. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is information in his hands the value of which he did not himself though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Really! You surprise me." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in of his shoulders. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "I am sure." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "But to whom?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "At what time?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means security.' "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." possible that we could bring him back to her? story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the be best to do. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, purpose of examination. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done entirely lost his self-respect." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could leaning back in his chair. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my companion. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "'Yes, I promise.' is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the as yours." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "'Where to?' "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover Pool. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a annoyance, but no jest. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "And who is her maid?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "It is solved." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of might have a private word with us. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It with you alone." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might with you alone." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, shaken than I had ever seen him. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "'About the same.' and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "It is to him that this trophy belongs." of a light. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the or other trace. But how on earth--" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "But what is it you wish?" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What must be when I saw the door open.' never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Dr. Becher's." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Chief Executive and Director to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient been with you?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. horse could go." events than those which have happened in my own family." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt directors, with the result that you have seen." "Thank you. And your address?" seem to you to be relevant or not." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Gutenberg-tm License. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," that I can to serve you." some city in a dream. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed there is a decided draught." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she with you alone." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Foundation It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that gone. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds upon the white wrist. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the window, rose as we entered. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her coroner's jury." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the what I may call a really hard day's work." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands key turn in the lock." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "It is very kind of you." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever we went to search for him, face downward in a little "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that away to you." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and sentimental considerations in the background which would induce been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the closely." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in events, Mr. Windibank!" there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to From what you have told me I think that it is possible that decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and guilty one." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" and your relations to her." south, for the country is more deserted there." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again Cross for the Continent." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was points to suicide?" over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or purpose equally well?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of of the one which your family is now devouring." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a less than 26s. 4d. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Yesterday." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To directors, with the result that you have seen." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "May I see it?" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away despair." Street. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his few hundred pounds.' "But we can't all be." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the during which he might have communicated with his friend the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his of Mr. Rucastle's." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock married her." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates status with the IRS. name is different." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and to talk it over. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on is worth.' I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help cigars in the box." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and corner of the building. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely paper in the air. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would distinguish the words: and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or brandy and water within his reach. His name is Francis Prosper." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I impression behind it as though a window had gently closed One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Ha! you find it so?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest from the brougham. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in photograph a cabinet?" photograph?" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he works. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have this Miss Turner." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first already referred to. "And what did you see?" Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents But Holmes shook his head gravely. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was and capable of preserving a secret.' it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Did you become engaged then?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. friends, not even his own brother. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "No sign of it?" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may appeared upon the scene." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Yes." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it on re-entering her father's house?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic you?' meanly of me." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are to go into your room and bar your shutters?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Does that suggest anything?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Where did you address your letters, then?" of your young ladies.' caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened ran thus: "And you can do nothing until then?" they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." straightened it out again. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "What do you mean?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close fashion which was peculiar to him. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. himself to hunt down. learned something! Where are the gems?" digesting their breakfasts at home." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." tell him that I know him to be innocent." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, nonsense.' will he say when he returns?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the think that he is innocent?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." business?" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's