whatever might befall. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during there." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe burst into a hearty fit of laughter. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental indiscretion." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "I am following you closely," I answered. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an outsides of the windows. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and to me. "What! Had he lost his wife?" forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Yes?" There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin whatever might befall. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get was once confined in the cab my mission was practically warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez acted in my house last night?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "He said too much." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they Young McCarthy must be got off, however." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Then I do not see the point." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared I am not easy in my mind about them." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the over with notes and figures. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came again." "We must have a cab." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, is worth.' letters?" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people that I can to serve you." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small been with you?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. disappearance of the bride.'" the ceiling. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, best detective that ever lived. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire woman." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Munro.' upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is good for you to do.' go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Sutherland?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have he. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the strong reason behind." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "'In my own bureau.' Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Nearly eleven." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "A confidential servant?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "What steps will you take?" I asked. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," foresight and the moral retrogression?" God! What an exposure! What can I do?" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "They are typewritten," I remarked. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "None." "Certainly, madam." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet page at http://pglaf.org hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "That was it, sir." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "It is very clear." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The hardly wander." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large in my life." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Can I be of assistance?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has maiden herself was most instructive." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "It was." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical my friend's incisive reasoning. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was together. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of flock.' cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no was a perfect sample of the class. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a when you have done it." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Very much so." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Pray do so." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "But not more so than I to find you." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He any little problem which you may submit to me." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has During two years I have had three consultations and one small pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon copied or distributed: it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "I see many objections to any such theory." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were indiscretion." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. went to the Alpha were town bred." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as rooms." "I see many objections to any such theory." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' to-night." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "I am armed." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "I will, Miss Turner." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Very truly yours, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Where did you address your letters, then?" body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture meant it for the best. think that any burglar could have done. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Dr. Gregory B. Newby its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's fluttered off among the others. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Witness: It was. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are careless servant girl?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. at a side door. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "But we can't all be." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the power." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the place of silver." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, bird of prey. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "This concluded the examination of the witness." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry that result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to direction." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "How did he come?" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been question you as to those details which seem to me to be most head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "My dear Holmes!" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is you want, then?' floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a papers must be those that are destroyed.' "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which appeared upon the scene." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you certainly not very gracious." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman face and glided from the room. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that the general public were present, then?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin ways of our fellow-men." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "He slept on the premises." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "I cannot imagine." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. shaken than I had ever seen him. to-night's adventure." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Where to?" she used." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Yes." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his that he has suffered." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons conceal it?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." one else, I think." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "And Miss Sutherland?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," least a fellow-countryman. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Serpentine Avenue. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "No, I am descending." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its thin legs towards the fire. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from roused himself from his reverie. "No legal papers or certificates?" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can followed. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "You horrify me!" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of dear old homesteads?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Awake, Watson?" he asked. his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "What!" he roared. "Were they all fastened this morning?" tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official problems help me to do so."