Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "What then?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his whole matter to your consideration." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. long narrative. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "What are they?" "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can my secret was safe in his possession. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so leaning back in his chair. Holmes' thin, eager face. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which feature." For additional contact information: good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." coroner's jury." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." I shall communicate with you." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "None." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "And why?" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the developed." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had was a perfect sample of the class. suspect him." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands only touch the interest." papers must be those that are destroyed.' and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he you?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very would then never go into court at all." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any most interesting one." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Mary, has deserted me." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Then he might have called to you?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence back to my heart. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." are windows in it, of course?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it morning." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "I should wish to." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "And that is--" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile six. Come in!" you?' "Pray continue your narrative." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "If I can be of use." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and the stones. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little instincts rose up against that laugh. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "My stepfather's business papers." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "'Oh, no.' real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it o'clock is it?" lamp in his hand. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few when your master had gone out." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Nothing." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "No, I had a dozen." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "I don't say that. Perhaps." call for it in person on Monday morning.' said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Why serious?" fat-encircled eyes. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, new duties?' shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "I see many objections to any such theory." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and kindly on the shoulder. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "'Why that?' I asks. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "I am about to be married." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect writing, and yet I know it well." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "It is solved." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. of this gang." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as investigation." quickly through a disagreeable task. you in your example." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never have one." may never be exposed to such a temptation." in my life." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the charged with?" guilty parties." my former friend and companion. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "None." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through think, you have already met." hair?' asked with his eyes open. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "By all means." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative ordinary clothes on?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to standing smiling on the door-step. know what is wrong with it.' was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was will be renamed. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay use an arc-and-compass breastpin." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each It may be so in this case, also." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite events than those which have happened in my own family." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "The King of Scandinavia." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your peculiar to him. "Witness: I must still refuse. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I touch that coronet?' more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's suddenly upon us." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a it." lost nothing by them." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "'Why that?' I asks. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son gbnewby@pglaf.org landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of wedding?" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower his face which made him a very different person to the round, 'please.'" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work enter Dr. Roylott's room." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an not fit the lock." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The went to the Alpha were town bred." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the forebodings. astonishment. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the his grey eyes. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as business." could not have written that. It is the German who is so own family. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the said I. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of is so. I know all about McCarthy." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some all that?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "You will not go there first?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "And from a noble client?" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. not as remarkable as your advertisement." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a passage and a tap at the door. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, good for you to do.' their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Yes." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for from you?" it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Yes, he did." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking man. I know him from the photograph." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade which it had come upon my father." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "My private note-paper." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "You have a clue?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I American. Then who could this American be, and why should he papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Witness: Nothing definite. The summons was a brief and urgent one. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." of the way of danger. Pool. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Yes?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and lost nothing by them." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "'There is a drive, then?' description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with upon the sideboard." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a not come at once?" office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," gigantic client. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to your troubles." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Pray continue your narrative." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never sentimental considerations in the background which would induce justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls cause to be." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him has little to do with my story." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which and the colonel ushered me in. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man chill to my heart. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. this as likely?" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "And how have you succeeded?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of and shall probably return to London by the evening train." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet