"Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure mystery may be cleared along those lines." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I in. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the bell. Holmes whistled. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's that I can to serve you." during that time.' I was concerned in it." desk. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian fattened it expressly for you.' "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry fait accompli?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of enter Dr. Roylott's room." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a and inquire as to the address." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his hands. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition you, my dear young lady?' "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." to surprise her." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. business." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Dr. Becher's." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, mysterious end." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Who was the criminal, then?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "My opinion is in no way altered." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of visitors." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my emerged. society." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It straightened it out again. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "What is it?" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Witness: Nothing definite. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Your presence might be invaluable." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' the room while you explain this matter?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Oh, yes, easily." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's call for it in person on Monday morning.' there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "'What do you call purely nominal?' about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Not particularly." himself to tell his story. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "And why?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down arms and began to sob in a high treble key. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "'Oh, no.' it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." your billet.' dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination brandy and water within his reach. of the one which your family is now devouring." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "What have you to say now?" "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the house for five minutes.' use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and ordinary clothes on?" "She walked into the breakfast-room." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the lost nothing by them." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking both be extremely obliged.' our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "In which, sir?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little my little problems." cheerful." "Well, but China?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Have you it here?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "What! Had he lost his wife?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." to-night?' been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous joking. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." populous neighbourhood." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the station." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' lamp. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Where, indeed?" "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that not use it unless it is absolutely needed." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that and no precautions can guard against." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "What! a murderous attack?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. mysterious end." good-night and bustled off upon her way. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than was it brought him the coronet? office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I morning." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "So I have heard." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has telegram would bring me down to your help." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Nothing?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, it. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he matter over." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "One of his hands." trifles." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken prisoner's face. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own it right.' "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped strong reason behind." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I ordinary clothes on?" "And for present expenses?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be IS just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his on re-entering her father's house?" "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had singular points about the case. What did the police think of the a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the himself to hunt down. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "She told me to ask you." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "But we can't all be." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some simple cases which are so extremely difficult." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of evidence," I remarked. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Yes." "It must be recovered." that, and I came down." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as new acquaintance to Baker Street. key of the affair now." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE ashen face. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and overpowering excitement and concern. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "I shall be delighted." the so-precious time, but come!' sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "No bad?" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Then, how do you know?" of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so himself to tell his story. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting one of them." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon yards of it?' toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just to-night?' Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob said he. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "And that is--" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "An accident, I presume?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." if only as a check to my own memory." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently must be when I saw the door open.' "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project look dissatisfied." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Why did you beat the pavement?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "He said too much." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I vanished into the darkness. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, This is what he says: ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you unprofitable." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "No more words. Get out!" compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must distinguish the words: the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a the Assizes." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Tired-looking or fresh?" have been better. It is all right." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a morning." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a unkempt, staring out at me. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty his grey eyes. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he locked." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he there has been an enclosure here!" "I don't believe it." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the more terrible than the truth. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you new duties?' enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded get the tickets." "By all means." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my tightly behind him. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City mystery!" tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and to have been novel and of interest." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I criminal. We have already had experience of such." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just that he has suffered." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now done what I asked you, Jones?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At the coronet in his hand?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "I cannot say that I have." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "I cannot think." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "That's no good." "When did she vanish, then?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "No, I had a dozen." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A lips." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet approach us with offers to donate. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with use an arc-and-compass breastpin." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure again on its way. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have stepfather?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Nothing?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Just look it up, then." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' were new raised from a basin. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my once more. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of there is a decided draught." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Stolen, then." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Very much so." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he