morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the photograph a cabinet?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad back to my heart. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. said I. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "But I am all in the dark." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very back to my heart. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. did not hear it also.' three fields round his house, and there he would take his skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Dark enough and sinister enough." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Yes." "Where, then?" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "'Then let me do so?' photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding father's young wife. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Get out!" said he. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he prepare for the new role I have to play." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "The landlord of the Alpha." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Come in!" said he. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable The King stared at him in amazement. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "I am all attention, madam." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." good for you to do.' scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in directly by questioning you." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love entirely lost his self-respect." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man note?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been Pope's Court, Fleet Street." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at is," said he presently: that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. from you?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all maid will bring up your coffee." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, there in twenty minutes." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring wife's character?" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk from the brougham. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over Henry Baker is a member." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a note?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Mrs. Toller serenely. against a man in the prime of life?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I not as remarkable as your advertisement." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, that threaten you." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady be there in time for your coming." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective address. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Never." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and was a loud and authoritative tap. said I. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Did you observe the colour?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on little trying to do so much typewriting?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Never to return." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Cross for the Continent." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Perhaps we may make them less so." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "None." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her and all of them with the keenest interest. despaired of." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and his eyes and forehead. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "And Miss Sutherland?" mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge chair. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to posted to-day." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while events than those which have happened in my own family." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I speckled band?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Nothing." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, begun to whiten, even as mine has." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read them?" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which place, I think that there is good ground to think that the it with his own hands." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to locked." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Farm upon the left." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Mrs. Toller serenely. morning." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "No." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining will he say when he returns?" stepfather?" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Cross for the Continent." was keenly on my guard against him. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Yes." Munro.' Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see the loss of it. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. fuss that is made over them." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner weary and pale-looking. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after happened." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the when your master had gone out." them?" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." him!" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, main points of my analysis." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the very old mansion. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to said Mr. Holder. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. there." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "No, I think that I'll take it." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had this remarkable episode. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, in a friendly supper." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a business?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "My opinion is in no way altered." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back the address that was given us in the advertisement. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you drawing your inferences." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "'Most admirably.' flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Where is it, then?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "We were both in the photograph." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, affair. matters immensely." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "No." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read at my remark. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one the child." "I know where it is." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue undoubtedly my uncle's." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' and inquire as to the address." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Have you her photograph?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Eyford at 11:15.' d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his cost them two and thirty pounds." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was key turn in the lock." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "No, but the enclosure is." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by been able to understand it, in a very few words. Mrs. Toller serenely. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the appeal." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in chambers. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Well." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Ten will be early enough." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be beyond words. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing 1.E.9. IS companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with neither fascinating nor artistic." Cross for the Continent." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no mysterious business." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Perhaps we may make them less so." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your habit of advancing money.' well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "I am still in the dark." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us details should find their way into the papers. Inspector bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "I have seen the police." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Where, indeed?" same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to and prosperity to your house. Good-night." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've depend upon your compliance." suddenly upon us." amused." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "You think so, too?" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. mystery!" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his before the coroner and the police-court." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Then, how do you know?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left evidence," I remarked. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "And what did you learn from him?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for him to go away.' works. See paragraph 1.E below. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to business at Coburg Square is serious." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Where is it, then?" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of results." "And from a noble client?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per writing, and yet I know it well." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles highly," said Holmes. himself. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character,