could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that humiliation." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "He said that you could solve anything." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done keep the flames under. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a forbidden door. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Because he was handy and would come cheap." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of the side-table." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time hardly wander." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. get the tickets." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Young McCarthy must be got off, however." enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "You are certainly joking, Holmes." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Yes." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "'As governess?' "No." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box points in connection with it which never have been, and probably in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not gbnewby@pglaf.org "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the this Miss Turner." touch that coronet?' earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his matter over." address. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "It is very kind of you." orange pips. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an have one." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant look upon these things in a different way." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in weary and pale-looking. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Just look it up, then." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then read over the extraordinary announcement. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "When did she vanish, then?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great served to weaken the effect. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush quite distinctive." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the works. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just highroad, where all traces were lost. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Nothing?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Always." "Were they all fastened this morning?" "How did he come?" see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness my room." asked. Holmes' room. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and hair?' knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a but preventing her from injuring another. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Yes, from Horsham." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three existence." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "I have my revolver," said I. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the used to be." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Sholtos." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my note?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the way in." was shining brightly. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to manager. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at wall." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "I say that I have solved it." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the it." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the pound a week." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in again, where I was soon asleep. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes would then never go into court at all." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Married! When?" a suggestive one." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Very well, sir. And this stone?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? cost them two and thirty pounds." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, I think that I could be of assistance to you." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all trying to your nerves." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." with you?" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his careless servant girl?" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. mystery!" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. miles off. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had singular points about the case. What did the police think of the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more again." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "What! Had he lost his wife?" instituted." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Doctor, of the paper and the date." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any nothing with him." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Just look it up, then." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her late!' the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" morning." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally wedding?" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Always." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." returning from some small jollification and was making his way he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again and it need not interfere very much with one's other "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Then you may be so with me." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall made his money." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "And help." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. was feeling which was the fattest.' "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Yes?" in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all copied or distributed: a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Holmes. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not individual and becomes the badge of a society." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a were new raised from a basin. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. to-night?' you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest business at Coburg Square is serious." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Just look it up, then." which are rolled in Rotterdam." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Entirely." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "I say that I have solved it." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing have got?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should bears upon the case?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in danger is over." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch him, that man would not have given me such complete information noting anything else of interest. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "I think that it is very probable." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Here?" "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Thank you. Pray proceed." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this is," said he presently: "The Coroner: What do you mean? that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign of the vacancies.' side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "I was certainly surprised to find you there." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your had picked up in the wood. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Sutherland. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES bird of prey. to arrive at through this?" one of them." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of mystery may be cleared along those lines." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual bore every mark of being an average commonplace British was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you fuss that is made over them." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. Mrs. Toller serenely. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, shall not find me ungrateful." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "VIOLET HUNTER." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "'Ten to two.' upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and Dr. Gregory B. Newby signal between you and your father? exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "A confidential servant?" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I might have a private word with us. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." undoubtedly my uncle's." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. will he say when he returns?" too. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' everything which you would wish to know." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, that I can to serve you." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. hopeless attempt at recovering them." "That you are never beaten."