"It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Do you go out much in society?" residence of the great financier. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" could go. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Dr. Gregory B. Newby also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "You think that he is dead?" "Yes, sir." "Yes, it was twisted." politicians who had been sent down from the North. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "I am to be neutral?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You wedding?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant the Friday. Was it to be in church?" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "But you can know nothing of this?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "What are they?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his to his chemical studies. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Thank you. Pray proceed." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered me what he had done with the three missing stones. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Dr. Becher's." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire carpenter." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "The doctor?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried bell. Holmes whistled. "'It is locked up,' I answered. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, what do you think they found in the pockets?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out have I gained?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Witness: I must still refuse. "Well, but China?" statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, had this final quarrel? on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Not yet." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most the ceiling. other, as fresh and trim as possible. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Then I am your man." which our visitor detailed to us. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES during which he might have communicated with his friend the "From his hat?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, breakfast?" even of instruction." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "If so, much may have happened between." "And you don't know his address?" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send call the police, let the police find what they can.' "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "No legal papers or certificates?" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Precisely so. But how--" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the was a perfect sample of the class. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my the King without delay." trifles." door?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were new acquaintance to Baker Street. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very upon the white wrist. you came in." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will to-night?" I asked. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Cross for the Continent." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his point our research must commence, and we will begin it by submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." better grown goose." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "What I expected to see." fashion which was peculiar to him. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he or in danger--" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was meanly of me." do.' could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average morning." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad reach." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end off." "Frequently." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I careless servant girl?" "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "No." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy started for the Temple to see my husband. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Where did he live, then?" bearing upon the case." "And you can do nothing until then?" all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Then how many are there?" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been like that before?" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see cost them two and thirty pounds." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, how narrow had been my escape. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "He disappeared so suddenly." his wife has ceased to love him." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a beyond words. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried and the colonel ushered me in. John Swain, of St. Augustine. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. I nodded again. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "No, but the enclosure is." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us you, my dear young lady?' temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "You will not go there first?" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was telegram would bring me down to your help." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low over here." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train about here speaks of his kindness to him." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in thin legs towards the fire. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Yes." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Nothing?" "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Yes, they were peculiar boots." everything which you would wish to know." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, corner of the building. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Never to return." "I came to find a friend." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "How about poison?" "By no means." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send him nearly every evening." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which more solid." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. eavesdroppers?' were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her appointment with me for six o'clock?" and laid it on the table. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "'Where to?' "'Certainly not.' there in twenty minutes." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted to-morrow." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "I am still in the dark." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free said he, "my real name is James Ryder." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the bachelor.' change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." which we had just quitted. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' so far?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "'Quite sure, dad.' "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is main points of my analysis." I have it here in my museum." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "And you can do nothing until then?" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland as he folded up the epistle. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 to me. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling looking up at the numbers of the houses." long narrative. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was dates and names. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while which I could not give. He asked for Alice. back to my heart. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he my special province." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to best detective that ever lived. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of it. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "'I shall certainly be there.' the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. and looked back. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily and have this put in the evening papers." "Did you observe the colour?" that he has suffered." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged that you saw all that I did." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Really! You surprise me." "Will you bet, then?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." there when the Rucastles went away." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "The doctor?" bird I ate is country bred." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a begin with, and I had not got mine yet." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Pool. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "How on earth--" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave married her." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, spark where all is dark to me." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do in one or two places in England?' "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "How do you know, then?" You want to know what became of those geese?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. arrangements." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have some city in a dream. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "To an English lawyer named Norton." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "But of what society?" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 to that open window." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "I say that I have solved it." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "What! Had he lost his wife?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner annoyance, but no jest. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. in darkness. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she