however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Witness: I must still refuse. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out where she found matters as described by the last witness. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which then?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the your only hope of safety." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "We must sit without light. He would see it through the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit astonishment. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Because he was handy and would come cheap." evidence," I remarked. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "On the contrary, this is the right side." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Stolen." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Yes." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the writer." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that brandy and water within his reach. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast fish-monger and a tide-waiter." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now constraint." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Dark enough and sinister enough." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my colour had been driven from his face. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not questioning and rather startled gaze. from the brougham. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to will he say when he returns?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "'About the same.' "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I weary and pale-looking. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in sentimental considerations in the background which would induce might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not questionable one." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. orange pips. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net constraint." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as once more to my work. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Project Gutenberg-tm works. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and said he at last. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots of Fenchurch Street." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to stood on the top of it. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great License. You must require such a user to return or "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was on in his house." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. The King stared at him in amazement. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return direction." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps back to my heart. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until will take you up to see the machine.' house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but to a more successful conclusion." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Street. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "In heaven's name, what for?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. nice household for a young lady." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the and put his glass in his pocket. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "How many? I don't know." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "But she could not love him." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin appointment with me for six o'clock?" Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and in his power. "Won't it ring?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a *** START: FULL LICENSE *** their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "The knees of his trousers." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "I assure you that I am in your hands." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Holmes' thin, eager face. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so with some details as to your case." head. So long, then!" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." locked. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of carriage. It was a chestnut." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between corner of the building. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink John Swain, of St. Augustine. "And I." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Count Von Kramm." "The doctor?" age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." the bed, and you in that chair." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some the morning and make my own way in the world.' in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Well?" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. know that the truth is known." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Yes, there are nearly always some there." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue habit of advancing money.' "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "And your mother is alive?" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "No." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar weapon." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Bought." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Dr. Becher's." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies open." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of but preventing her from injuring another. Does that suggest anything?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Married! When?" all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, photograph?" there has been an enclosure here!" constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil your bag." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? of it with the greatest attention. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "'I have already given you my word.' however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood The summons was a brief and urgent one. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "How on earth--" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said spare." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile get the tickets." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" cigars in their mouths. "And the murderer?" "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "But his lameness?" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from weighed down with some great anxiety. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "And your mother is alive?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, and looked back. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the mystery." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' the matter?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." gone. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as and laid it on the table. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "What have you done?" asked Holmes. that flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every indiscretion." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my there is a decided draught." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "By no means." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean letters?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I were unconscious?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Yes." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between meanly of me." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for morning." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, Leadenhall Street--and--" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was get the tickets." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" only touch the interest." corner of the building. records." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our footfalls from the street. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took call it cruel." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you and inquire as to the address." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me place no limit on the sum I may draw." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Eh? What was that?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, never came back." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Yes." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Then I am your man." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to used to be." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Just look it up, then." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged writer." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I III. once more. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between when your master had gone out." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What ashen face. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the again before evening." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Precisely." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that populous neighbourhood." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I sufficient punishment." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small Holmes' room. speckled band?" the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at know that the truth is known." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "She walked into the breakfast-room." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "But who is he?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" highly," said Holmes. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Certainly." "To the police?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had His name is Francis Prosper." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "It is possible." photograph?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "'Where to?' collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Yes, from Horsham." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his speckled band?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes.