will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "'Never.' such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "'And what are they worth?' I asked. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the sufficient punishment." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past lamp in his hand. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the front of me. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." away to you." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make the Friday. Was it to be in church?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. shall not find me ungrateful." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Witness: Nothing definite. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "It is his hat." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the the stable lane now." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two London for the present?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I it." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were instincts rose up against that laugh. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to http://gutenberg.net/license). "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "That is not always so easy." http://www.gutenberg.net have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed lumber-room." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his plantation.' while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "No." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both few hundred pounds.' to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Yes." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "What will you do, then?" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me four million human beings all jostling each other within the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "How about poison?" wedding?" humiliation." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There more solid." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us arms and began to sob in a high treble key. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every crowd. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and to miss it." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded to where he stood hid behind the curtain. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are instituted." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "What do you mean?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. bears upon the case?" to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed not as remarkable as your advertisement." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as some mystery and the punishment of some crime." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Again Holmes raved in the air. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in know all about it," he snarled. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "'Oh, no.' shall use the carriage to-night." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Very much so." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are most interesting one." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "'It is locked up,' I answered. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who hands. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to man. I know him from the photograph." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "'In my own bureau.' seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every bell. Holmes whistled. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Why, what do you mean?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a my friend's incisive reasoning. the best of training." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as showing my impatience. the station." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is father's place of business?" speckled band?" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Has he come with you to-night?" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back the one as in the other." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were know that the truth is known." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen than to us. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "And now?" I asked. system of imprisonment?" had this final quarrel? considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. least a fellow-countryman. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight interests were the same as his." chamber." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, how narrow had been my escape. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove never came back." "And how did you verify them?" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Look there!" said he. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much entirely devoid of interest." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "No, I had a dozen." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Foundation "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "I answered that I had not. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that in your London, you will know that the office of the company is long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Not in the least." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his helping a boy to put up the shutters. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I corner of the building. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so future lives." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Where to?" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There front of the hall door has given its name to the place. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long and your relations to her." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle there has been an enclosure here!" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more footfalls from the street. chance." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Yes." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a seven miles from Eyford Station.' the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Nearly eleven." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the to take care of herself." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Yes." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had true." "And how have you succeeded?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "One of the highest in England." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to purpose equally well?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Yes." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There always that they were such commands as a lady might with hurried by. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was like gravel from a pit.' agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow the King without delay." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar empty. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, trifles." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' of them has the shutters up.' never to learn it at all." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our which it had come upon my father." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." the night.' filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak fashion which was peculiar to him. front of me. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their the running down." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. photograph?" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after thought that she would have been so carried away." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Witness: I must still refuse. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "But how?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Mrs. Toller serenely. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully weapon." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "I have solved it." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." ventilator." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "So I have heard." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, I have it here in my museum." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. rat could hardly pass through." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable to-night." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who way in everything. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California noise which awoke you from your sleep?" do.' tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "And what then?" morning." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Tired-looking or fresh?" filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing all?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "So it appears." "I say it is." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "And how in the world did you find them?" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander to arrive at through this?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably,