been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a not personally threatened." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his works. See paragraph 1.E below. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Seven!" I answered. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser in him." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the child?' its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who I held the little printed slip to the light. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now once more for Briony Lodge. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias remarked. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." License. You must require such a user to return or man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks It was close upon four before the door opened, and a 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Was she in good spirits?" You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, hair?' and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "And why in hopes?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his has little to do with my story." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was before, for it was considerably after midnight. Lee, in the county of Kent." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. him!" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was the stones. and the whole place is in a blaze." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered have accepted such a situation. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last bell. Holmes whistled. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them eat it." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "It is possible." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on the armchair which I pushed forward for him. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "A client, then?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "No, finished." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "My dear Holmes!" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by for the market.' "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as people in all walks of life. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Get out!" said he. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the like gravel from a pit.' I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would my room." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection singular points about the case. What did the police think of the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Thank you. And your address?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper as yours." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "And what then?" light and attacked it." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which do.' "Has he come with you to-night?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, the house with me." really the only notable feature about the thing." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that that he will be back before evening." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is instincts rose up against that laugh. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all all-comprehensive glances. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of records." know what is wrong with it.' us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in have been better. It is all right." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "They are typewritten," I remarked. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "My dear Holmes!" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is said I. approach us with offers to donate. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide easy-going way." "Where, then, is my wife?" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Did you observe the colour?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." appointment with me for six o'clock?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it six. Come in!" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I signal between you and your father? at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "But how could you guess what the motive was?" I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the to-night?" I asked. "No." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature the tragedy. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "But to whom?" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to green of the new foliage. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid stood on the top of it. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little could go. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may villagers almost as much as their master. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. not fit the lock." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had perplexity from it to my illustrious client. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre indiscretion." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other sofa. This way, please!" "'There is a drive, then?' Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the guilty one." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I photograph?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that train from Paddington which would bring you there at about broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of excitement. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast likely to be some crony of the landlady's." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over morning." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "What shall I do?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this burst out into a roar of laughter. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight three fields round his house, and there he would take his less than 26s. 4d. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already money should be paid at once.' "I will do it." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in whole matter to your consideration." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. you, my dear young lady?' "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "9th. McCauley cleared. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, charge against him will break down." call it cruel." together. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double completely overtopped every other consideration that we both burst out into a roar of laughter. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Then, how do you know?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal I nodded again. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which walking." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "No, I had a dozen." became a certainty. "By no means." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for questionable one." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the never will be, entirely cleared up. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. to tell." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms window when the police appeared." "No, finished." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Absolutely none." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon indeed which he could not unravel. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "And you don't know his address?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my wedding?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in goes." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "And I." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his come either from the window or the door. My attention was so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid for securing the situation." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the bears upon the case?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must 1.F. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Dirty?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I so far?" as the one I chose?' the armchair which I pushed forward for him. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "And what then?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I with her." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my fashion which was peculiar to him. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Yes, but only for you and me." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me papers on the sundial.'" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who maid will bring up your coffee." appeal." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to the King without delay." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of the King without delay." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of assist you in forming an opinion." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time tail." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This acquaintance?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security drove away. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very the coronet at all injured?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who http://www.gutenberg.net my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our occupations.' have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's not come at once?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Heh?' the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Then you may entirely rely on me." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master you understand?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he II. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Then you may entirely rely on me." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. envelope. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "And is that all?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment gone. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the young Openshaw's." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the asked. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is