"'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Well." "'What then?' I asked. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very felt the room to be a little close.' Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I in his hands." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an words came to my lips. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned four million human beings all jostling each other within the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Entirely." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for daring than any effort of the imagination." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how the roots. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "It is his hat." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" introspective fashion. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late and a shock of very red hair. "I have a cab outside." "Which are?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "That is easily got." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there 11:15.' "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I allusion to a rat. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is to surprise her." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal maiden herself was most instructive." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar open." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at that I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I in his hands." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for against a man in the prime of life?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." writer." respectable self." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Breckinridge is his name." man. I know him from the photograph." maid will bring up your coffee." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were have I gained?" she used." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I villagers almost as much as their master. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "The Coroner: What do you mean? "We have tried and failed." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs affection." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "It goes to the housekeeper's room." infinite languor in his face. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped beyond words. "It is very clear." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "The rest you will leave in our hands." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" miles off. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The note?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all away into the river." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "And how?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's dramatic, in fact." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Her father is very rich?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, which we had just quitted. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under you came in." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for just ask you whether you had heard it.' been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the it." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. absorbing." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Yes, from Horsham." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished enter Dr. Roylott's room." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when possible that we could bring him back to her? leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box new duties?' been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your showing my impatience. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is and no precautions can guard against." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Was he the only applicant?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us yards of it?' furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Have you her photograph?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "What I expected to see." has little to do with my story." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Count Von Kramm." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room already been minutely examined." What do you deduce from it?" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he locked." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and to change my dress. http://www.gutenberg.net swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's strange features which were associated with the two crimes which would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE trifles." "Do you know him?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their and a shock of very red hair. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "That's no good." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, an introduction to him?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "The Cedars?" gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making again before evening." meanly of me." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "And the cigar-holder?" "What is it?" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their delighted to hear it," he said. "Where is it, then?" hurried away. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "At the wedding breakfast." "No." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "And leave your case unfinished?" "Witness: I must still refuse. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Does that suggest anything?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the and glanced through. way in." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "I think that it is very probable." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry should be so warm over such a trifle." "Entirely." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the certainly do as you advise." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "But you can know nothing of this?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Nothing." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "So it appears." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage was once confined in the cab my mission was practically will find little credit to be gained out of this case." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and your Highness to the police-station?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "'And the work?' "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion in my life." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Have you it here?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me hopeless attempt at recovering them." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of emerged. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and was a lad." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking certainly do as you advise." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "It is his hat." "I am following you closely," I answered. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away she to prove their authenticity?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight occupations.' nice household for a young lady." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, carpenter." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Yes, it was twisted." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "I answered that I had not. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. address. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we your own bird, so if you wish--" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to for its centre. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was the King without delay." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the one of them." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the side-table." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. lamp in his hand. "At what time?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back interest. They are important, you understand, without being nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the out." a good hundred miles off by now." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Frequently." "Nearly eleven." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and writer." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, visitors." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked is worth.' obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming once more. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version McCarthy." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are wedding?" father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "'There is a drive, then?' doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project tapping his fingers upon the table. "You will not go there first?" Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a dramatic, in fact." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Eyford." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I must compliment you." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that she used." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" go from here to the Strand." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every tail." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "It is very kind of you." "We must have a cab." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and eavesdroppers?' laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Will you bet, then?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which your own bird, so if you wish--" society." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began distance from the station, and there we found the young lady can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he know all about it," he snarled. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and redistribution. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "I was certainly surprised to find you there."