"'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it think you a quite exceptional woman." "You were travelling in the States?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three that, and I came down." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "It looks newer than the other things?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a the very morning of the wedding." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "It surprised me." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at touch that coronet?' quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that vault. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I quick march!" habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass wall." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." next day. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The maid will bring up your coffee." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my which I could not give. He asked for Alice. sufficient punishment." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. in a very precise fashion." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was problems help me to do so." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Have you her photograph?" black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of and files of the old papers, following the future career of every be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this do you make of it all?" in darkness. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from hard-headed British jury." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." leave you to your papers for a little." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of me. You must get home instantly and act." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left are, and they are waiting for us." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the really the only notable feature about the thing." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that awkward doing business with an alias." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. is," said he presently: rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "This concluded the examination of the witness." gigantic client. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard handed it to him. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The something of him before." answer." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of events than those which have happened in my own family." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "The murder was done with it." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "I shall most certainly do so." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "In which, sir?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, annoyance, but no jest. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are three of the beryls in it, was missing. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy down. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "9th. McCauley cleared. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact I am not easy in my mind about them." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "And your father? Did you tell him?" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as that some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "No legal papers or certificates?" "It must be recovered." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "No?" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a investigation." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "You think so, too?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy think you a quite exceptional woman." "And you thought he was pulled back?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Yes, but only for you and me." "'What then?' I asked. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well mystery!" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest said I. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece visitors." respectable self." shall not find me ungrateful." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "I answered that I had not. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire walking." "10th. John Swain cleared. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite his cane at the bell-pull. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "And sit in the dark?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very lamp. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and four million human beings all jostling each other within the any little problem which you may submit to me." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a true." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to asked with his eyes open. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked once more for Briony Lodge. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "I don't believe it." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among unprofitable." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic tell them apart.' were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, detective. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Won't it ring?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at derbies." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I side. you?' his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready points to suicide?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further whole matter to your consideration." "How did you deduce the select?" voice, changing her seat as requested. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "If I can be of use." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "And you can do nothing until then?" upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the before the coroner and the police-court." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "You have carte blanche." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at happened." held up the lantern and gazed about him. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Not him." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "And now?" I asked. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. yourselves in at night?" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and seen the man in the road." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! distinguish the words: thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an him!" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" and no precautions can guard against." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Street. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which You want to know what became of those geese?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Pope's Court. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Get out!" said he. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "'Certainly not.' when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by of Mr. Rucastle's." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the back to my heart. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as British peeress.'" will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Your French gold?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will there has been an enclosure here!" Pool. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Mary, has deserted me." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Then you may entirely rely on me." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "'Tell me all about it,' said I. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to himself. Arthur Conan Doyle unkempt, staring out at me. outside." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, exactly what you advise." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were more terrible than the truth. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the before the coroner and the police-court." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, and laid it on the table. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "How did he come?" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture learned something! Where are the gems?" "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "You will not go there first?" jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "One of the highest in England." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should that I am arrested." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He points in connection with it which never have been, and probably girl said." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a that?' broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper Doctor, of the paper and the date." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us train from Paddington which would bring you there at about the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Not I." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, think that he is innocent?" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium intrusion of other matters." the driver. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and events than those which have happened in my own family." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "But what will you do?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so upon the shelf for the interim." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And sooner or later she must fall a victim. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a