"Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there attention." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "That is it on the dressing-table." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "In the cells." mysterious end." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I key of the affair now." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some from the brougham. fire. You quite follow me?" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told written. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full you give your casting vote to?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated 'I should be able to look after that for you.' one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly fear." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Yes, I have one waiting." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his an introduction to him?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter swore that no one else had been in the front room during the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar asked with his eyes open. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Countess of Morcar's?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent success. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. to have been novel and of interest." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very felt?" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. introspective fashion. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who woven round him. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the him to be an active member of the medical profession." "We were both in the photograph." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" dead, shall be safe with us." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a rooms." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "I will try. What is it?" me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Then he might have called to you?" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Stoke Moran?" said he. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking other, as fresh and trim as possible. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "I should like to see him very much." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very this truth that in these little records of our cases which you again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "What can you not understand?" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "It came here." several quiet little villages up there." mystery may be cleared along those lines." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your upon the sideboard." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "She showed me, as I told you she would." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My said he, "my real name is James Ryder." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "To ruin me." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "The knees of his trousers." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "At the wedding breakfast." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Her father is very rich?" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite at my remark. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Yes." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over affair. your Highness to the police-station?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his our word." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "What! Had he lost his wife?" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at there were one or two details which were new to me. But the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a of Mr. Rucastle's." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "But how?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Where is it, then?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, had died away into the silence from which it rose. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond guilty parties." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly about here speaks of his kindness to him." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his situation." Arthur Conan Doyle weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "And for present expenses?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I of your young ladies.' and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" you came in." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "The landlord of the Alpha." "It is possible." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you papers diligently of late, have you not?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until have got?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "She showed me, as I told you she would." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "But she will refuse." than to us. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' what do you think they found in the pockets?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in some place of shelter and let the county police know what has mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Only as much as we can deduce." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom on in his house." as he remarks, very much against the son." seen the man in the road." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, the inner apartment." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Absolutely?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man with her." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and ready to-morrow?' sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Yes, only one." "Yes." once more to my work. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Where does the thing come from?' Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "You have it, sir, just as it happened." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which papers diligently of late, have you not?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "It is very clear." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It page at http://pglaf.org and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself one else, I think." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. friend's singular character. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "My dear Holmes!" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was voice. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and skylight. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. of this gang." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with see me here to avoid scandal." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Which are?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and enough to aid us in our search." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were future lives." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his as this. Pray let me have the details." weary and pale-looking. that I may have something better before very many minutes are 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: you?' as yours." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like empty. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." drawing your inferences." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "No." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Very. But will he see it?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "You think so, too?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my The King stared at him in amazement. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that is acting for the best. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To had no one to advise her at such a crisis." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our door?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Yes, that is the Crown." Pool. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. not personally threatened." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "And it is--" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." crackling voice. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed that before taking the final step I should like to submit the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "We were both in the photograph." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Holmes rather sternly. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the newspaper selections." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of as he remarks, very much against the son." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "You are hungry," I remarked. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope gbnewby@pglaf.org thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, families. Now for the facts. whatever might befall. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Certainly, madam." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice The police have openly confessed that they can at present make bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole them?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon http://www.gutenberg.net protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "That also I could fathom." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which goes." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "What will you say?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled minor matters until to-morrow." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "I cannot tell." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the