at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "In the cells." direction." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a me where it went to?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Yes." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "The knees of his trousers." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by was a lad." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to with the outside air!" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I to-morrow." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Thank you. Pray proceed." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided to me. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, coat-tails." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "And I to find an enemy." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Game for a morning drive?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Very murderous indeed." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his shoulder; "he's all right." assist you in forming an opinion." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he better in every way that they should make their position a little prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, copied or distributed: "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "I think that it is very probable." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at whereabouts. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Not in the least." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its do.' bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "What do you make of that, Watson?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "And what then?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us would apply.' accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for conduct the inquiry." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "It looks newer than the other things?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event this Miss Turner." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Foundation "And why in hopes?" which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of leave you to your papers for a little." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, the salesman. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be formed some opinion?" "And is that all?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the this poor creature." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and business?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client enter into my head. handed it to him. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to call you and give you the chance." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "And on what day did he meet his death?" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "I say that I have solved it." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are companion quietly. "I should be immensely obliged to you." telegram would bring me down to your help." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "What of the rat, then?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions your troubles." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune to-night." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "If I can be of use." power." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "At half-wages, in fact." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but like that before?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, arrangements." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend events, Mr. Windibank!" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "10th. John Swain cleared. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable fait accompli?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and your co-operation." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable distinguish the words: and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Won't it ring?" do." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the business came to an end." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Well." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think is so. I know all about McCarthy." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the Red-headed League." a suggestive one." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, bedroom door." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "In the cells." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "But you were on a friendly footing?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion and your relations to her." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again green of the new foliage. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the that, and I came down." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "But how?" "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "You forget that I know nothing about it." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was go from here to the Strand." "And who is her maid?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite walking." "Deserted you?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a guilty parties." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "You have compromised yourself seriously." returned to France?" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your had this final quarrel? "Nearly eleven." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth heavily into it. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "My opinion is in no way altered." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. shaken than I had ever seen him. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the think that he is innocent?" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to business." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Yes, that is the Crown." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she jewels which you have stolen?' "Not I." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been humiliation." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "An accident, I presume?" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his spark where all is dark to me." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "What is it, then--a fire?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, his knees, staring into the fire. Surrey." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those hand, madam?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you there were one or two details which were new to me. But the to me. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was character. "I am all attention, madam." "Yes, that is the Crown." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much towards the blaze. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would occurred." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "What then?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic closing the door. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing are windows in it, of course?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had the matter?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Clair, of Lee." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now appeal." "Not yet." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "What?" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. this poor creature." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything meant." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Were they all fastened this morning?" cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds to where he stood hid behind the curtain. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "On the contrary, this is the right side." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what nothing with him." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which companion. feature." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an fatally injured? 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Won't it ring?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the McCarthy." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "An enemy?" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door heavily into it. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to call for protection in the marriage market, for the present brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "How many? I don't know." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "'I shall certainly be there.' the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "But who is he?" emerged. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" there was no need for father to know." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded It was close upon four before the door opened, and a for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his you?' wedding?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Holmes." detained." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed address. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in to that open window." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of case-book, which he consulted. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "But how did you gain them?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when