voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most details should find their way into the papers. Inspector relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Pope's Court, Fleet Street." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Yes, the wine-cellar." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "How do you know, then?" office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "What of the rat, then?" our word." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main morning." "It missed him, then?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Leadenhall Street--and--" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the bled considerably." always that they were such commands as a lady might with "I never have." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax dramatic, in fact." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it was a lad." "Well?" "Of Friday, June 19th." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the the coronet in his hand?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at Holmes' room. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "How are you getting on?" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself and all of them with the keenest interest. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in colour had been driven from his face. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "You are certainly joking, Holmes." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from yourselves in at night?" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "I fear not." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp burst into a hearty fit of laughter. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party bare slabs of marble. yet." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Count Von Kramm." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the and no precautions can guard against." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Edgeware Road. only touch the interest." tear off another piece?' black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note him!" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "And Irene Adler?" unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course It may be so in this case, also." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Holmes, the busybody!" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' garden below. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," round with crates and massive boxes. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "I guessed as much." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to vault. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition relation between them, and what the object of his repeated had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." cigars in their mouths. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll there is a decided draught." "'Oh, no.' tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Serpentine Avenue. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush fear." fait accompli?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the had picked up in the wood. go from here to the Strand." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "And you can do nothing until then?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "I am in hopes that she does." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my lids now and glanced across at his visitor. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. letters?" the Assizes." "Yes. He waved his hands." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as gentleman's clothes. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Yes, from Horsham." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and desk. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "When did it break out?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and dramatic, in fact." "But of what society?" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these gbnewby@pglaf.org Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and You can understand that this register and diary may implicate I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I until night should bring an explanation. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "I was afraid that you were engaged." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and placed his cuttings. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." bled considerably." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the speckled band?" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "You horrify me." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident matter over." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight families. Now for the facts. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Nothing." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." there." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the tightly behind him. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the and all of them with the keenest interest. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "But of what society?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be here." is so. I know all about McCarthy." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some straightened it out again. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "It is solved." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not man. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the my former friend and companion. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed throat." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." the devil!" the dangers which encompass me." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Where, then?" away into the river." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are and shall probably return to London by the evening train." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." point in the dark hollow of his hand. to tell." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had recover the gem." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." paper in the air. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all and laid it on the table. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid I. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "How often?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to was a perfect sample of the class. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and bonnet, and went out." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "And sit in the dark?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to of this gang." yet." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "And Irene Adler?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day For additional contact information: you." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which leaning back in his chair. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; himself. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little humiliation." "She showed me, as I told you she would." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Certainly." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and distinguish the words: "That is not always so easy." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do least a most suspicious remark." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather than to us. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Yes, he did." within hail.' some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I bell. Holmes whistled. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Heh?' reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and cheerful." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day drawing your inferences." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall round and wave him away like that.' "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are floor. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, whether it answered to the description of any of their the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "My dear Holmes!" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only point in the dark hollow of his hand. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that all that?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "My photograph." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Entirely." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very purpose equally well?" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able the coronet in his hand?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your the station." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully of a light. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the colonel looking down at me. seem to you to be relevant or not." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER was once confined in the cab my mission was practically been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without closing the door. the roots. point in the dark hollow of his hand. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be ago." "Yes, I have one waiting." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Yes?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at note?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you depend upon your compliance." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a the room while you explain this matter?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "No?" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Yes, at the mines." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the father's place of business?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now bird I ate is country bred." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' shaken than I had ever seen him. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, emerged. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of page at http://pglaf.org "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Perfectly so." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting *** START: FULL LICENSE *** the one as in the other." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the matter?"