Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Were they all fastened this morning?" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw horse could go." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Pool. promised to bring home. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil bill, which interests me deeply." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want means taking possession of that which another person has a prior XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant what these perils are?" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with your most interesting statement." maid will bring up your coffee." when your master had gone out." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "He might." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Of Friday, June 19th." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, fire. You quite follow me?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "But his lameness?" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "'In my own bureau.' The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, http://www.gutenberg.net downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all and glanced through. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing the Assizes." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "You have carte blanche." think that he is innocent?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to me where it went to?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he friends, not even his own brother. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called his fortune, and I went back to pa. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, him to go away.' waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This she has been waylaid. There has been no result." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly with you alone." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a fatally injured? aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each experiences." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted DAMAGE. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" it. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of there was no need for father to know." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Not in a good cause." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." to-night?' success. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "'Certainly not. But why?' something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Eyford." "'Certainly not.' characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "It is very clear." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of you?" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" once more for Briony Lodge. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "So I have heard." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until it." outside. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to himself in a perplexing position. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Ah!" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Because he was handy and would come cheap." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were legal crime." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "His face fell immediately. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in it." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could you, my dear young lady?' weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "In San Francisco, a year ago." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers a monotonous occupation." "She showed me, as I told you she would." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, stood on the top of it. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Holmes' room. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk leaning back in his chair. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies Holmes' thin, eager face. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan to a more successful conclusion." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a out of this horrible affair." house for five minutes.' thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "My dear Holmes!" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty floor. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the happened." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "What I expected to see." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is not as remarkable as your advertisement." "How do you know, then?" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the house with me." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "It missed him, then?" to Leatherhead. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Yes." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind should be taken.' thought that she would have been so carried away." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "He is still with you, I presume?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped rooms." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, said he. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Well?" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "I was sure that I might rely on you." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the putting in the horse. tied." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to It may be so in this case, also." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." with her." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "When did she vanish, then?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked take the flies, but not before." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Holmes' room. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms questionable one." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "I should be immensely obliged to you." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still from you?" bell. Holmes whistled. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "How often?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, papers must be those that are destroyed.' "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "'Certainly,' I answered. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have congenial hunt. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the way in everything. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the Friday. Was it to be in church?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the and it need not interfere very much with one's other there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I again before evening." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "But he might be a bachelor." hand, madam?" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. affection." "I cannot imagine." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had are windows in it, of course?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Well?" gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Not I." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." train.' to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "It is very kind of you." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come girl said." and have this put in the evening papers." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. should be so warm over such a trifle." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither fashion which was peculiar to him. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." have been better. It is all right." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, in the dead of the night?' over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the during that time.' sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately together. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would despaired of." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did not, dad?" she asked. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They British peeress.'" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps must compliment you." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the front of me. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." the stones. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven his knees, staring into the fire. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Absolutely none." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of him to be an active member of the medical profession." indiscretion." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "A confidential servant?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that His name is Francis Prosper." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. call it cruel." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Did he not advertise?" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and upon the white wrist. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as have been better. It is all right." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "I assure you that I am in your hands." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Yes, sir." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. were new raised from a basin. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very heavy and sharp instrument." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it garden below. are windows in it, of course?" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "And what did you learn from him?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive name is different."