and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in bachelor.' o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a clanging. shall use the carriage to-night." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, one's self under obligations.' "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "But you were on a friendly footing?" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss when your master had gone out." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and bill, which interests me deeply." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the your only hope of safety." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by minor matters until to-morrow." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. look upon these things in a different way." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. page at http://pglaf.org sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "'I am sure if I had known--' going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way and laid it on the table. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is and all of them with the keenest interest. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had started for the Temple to see my husband. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, a little more before I quite committed myself. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" I shall communicate with you." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking crackling voice. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. upon the sideboard." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to strode off upon his way. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Very murderous indeed." "And now?" I asked. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of opportunities to fix the problem. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason his grey eyes. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of his forehead." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, it right.' Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at outside. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "But I am all in the dark." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which woman who has had her own way to make in the world. lost his Christmas dinner." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear threw himself down with his face to the pillow. written, and locked the door of the office after me. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Yes, all." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known congratulate you again." "'Yes, I promise.' access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Arthur Conan Doyle every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "'Stolen!' he cried. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Yes, certainly." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Just look it up, then." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "No, finished." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a down in his armchair and closing his eyes. not within a twentieth part of the market price." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate it? Did I buy the geese off you?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "But you can know nothing of this?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring weary and pale-looking. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "By no means." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "My photograph." the so-precious time, but come!' myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Which surely he restored to their owner?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I interest. They are important, you understand, without being should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk Street. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" public press." is worth.' many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. whole matter to your consideration." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "But I am all in the dark." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Yes, but only for you and me." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "But how will you look?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Thank you. And your address?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "We must sit without light. He would see it through the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know photograph?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "On the contrary, this is the right side." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me security.' how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His remarked. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only colonel looking down at me. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "By train from Waterloo." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Texas, I think." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which matter." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the address that was given us in the advertisement. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles that there was nothing in it, after all." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive You want to know what became of those geese?" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of fait accompli?" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, at my own good fortune. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. I have it here in my museum." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." whole matter to your consideration." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have of the way of danger. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "What will you do, then?" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him room. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a a monotonous occupation." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but other means.' "Pray be precise as to details," said he. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an yet." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful of the way of danger. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia there!' himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I call the police, let the police find what they can.' cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, promised to bring home. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" His name is Francis Prosper." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly hopeless attempt at recovering them." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary coroner's jury." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "It was." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day characteristics, but those are the more obvious." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been when you have done it." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of true." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "But he might be a bachelor." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. with frightened eyes at his accuser. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Yes." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, already referred to. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital eavesdroppers?' relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may who was a member of your goose club." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon again before evening." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be happened." views." "Was he the only applicant?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no of." "My own seal." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and open." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of fasten all the windows?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and taking in every detail of the apartment. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose tied." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her crowd. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "The best possible." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "It was a confession," I ejaculated. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated ceremony." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that in one or two places in England?' mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old stammered. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried Literary Archive Foundation impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you new acquaintance to Baker Street. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "In heaven's name, what for?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up do you make of it all?" me upon any point which I do not make clear." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if