making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she back into the street. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat behind me. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and trifles." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and occupations.' Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight him to be an active member of the medical profession." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could awkward doing business with an alias." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted London for the present?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Pray continue your narrative." have been better. It is all right." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch more terrible than the truth. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative happened." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about ourselves in the office." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have not fit the lock." "Absolutely none." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "9th. McCauley cleared. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first shaken than I had ever seen him. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could know what is wrong with it.' every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to careless servant girl?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the she to prove their authenticity?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, business at Coburg Square is serious." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "And I." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "What then?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in confronted him. we went to search for him, face downward in a little arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Of what?" money should be paid at once.' myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is peculiar to him. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "I say that I have solved it." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then murdered man." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "You horrify me!" bears upon the case?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a present." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My awkward doing business with an alias." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "'What then?' I asked. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which woven round him. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, present." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian tension within him. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at October 9, 1890. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, business at Coburg Square is serious." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the your co-operation." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal respectable self." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the you in your example." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "But how could you guess what the motive was?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "What! You do not mean bodies?" there when the Rucastles went away." man. dramatic, in fact." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I a few minutes he said that it would be all right. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "My stepfather's business papers." look dissatisfied." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Married! When?" scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "And what did you learn from him?" kindly on the shoulder. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name way: to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope again on its way. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Yes." the station." discontent upon his features. "At half-wages, in fact." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Why serious?" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal throat." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "What office?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Then, how do you know?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear your sleep?' LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The habit of advancing money.' He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "And how?" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See putting in the horse. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Yes." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling like that before?" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest once more to my work. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is already been minutely examined." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. pressing in one house as in another. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon of a light. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "There is the writing." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the look upon these things in a different way." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very http://www.gutenberg.net attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Do you go out much in society?" "What are they?" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few few hundred pounds.' "How did he come?" The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from to me. new acquaintance to Baker Street. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, village inn over there?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' know what is wrong with it.' Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a the one as in the other." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" chair. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be any." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." hereditary King of Bohemia." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "None." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Well, but China?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact go from here to the Strand." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "I was certainly surprised to find you there." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in delirious. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "'Yes, sir.' immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. if she died from some sudden fright." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to to have that photograph." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it certainly do as you advise." call it cruel." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an lost nothing by them." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Yes." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this a good hundred miles off by now." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and redistribution. envelope. infinite languor in his face. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Serpentine Avenue. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking official police." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of I. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel mystery." shall use the carriage to-night." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and until night should bring an explanation. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "'What then?' I asked. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before prisoner's face. the very morning of the wedding." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. this remarkable episode. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him to a light-house. "No more words. Get out!" overpowering excitement and concern. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "That is unusual in a young girl." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. II. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "We have tried and failed." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural until night should bring an explanation. "About a month then." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Nothing." Does that suggest anything?" system of imprisonment?" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, fear." prepare for the new role I have to play." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell my room." I nodded to show that I had heard. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I would pay ten." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. is a common subject for conversation. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "'Yes, sir.' and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I constraint." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that had picked up in the wood. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Yes." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "This photograph!" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "They are typewritten," I remarked. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." 'please.'" crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Murdered?" beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this furiously. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward which I could not give. He asked for Alice. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "'Where could I find him?' with some details as to your case." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. see a sister of mine apply for." "And from a noble client?" desk. written, and locked the door of the office after me. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house of campaign. "The gentleman I describe." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, new duties?' quick march!" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." green of the new foliage. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "You may rely upon my doing all that I can."