stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the second window is the one that I jumped from." "Can I be of assistance?" "I am in hopes that she does." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" nothing with him." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying detained." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at very old mansion. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "No, I had a dozen." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck acted in my house last night?" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so tightly behind him. gone. "What steps will you take?" I asked. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable gigantic client. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to tightly behind him. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he the driver. said Mr. Holder. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Did you become engaged then?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE should be so warm over such a trifle." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. of." "What do you make of that, Watson?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Tired-looking or fresh?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Yes." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the photograph?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the distinguish the words: better grown goose." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress showing my impatience. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Then, as to money?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time suggested at once that there must be a communication between the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "You were travelling in the States?" been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "I see many objections to any such theory." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the room had already been engaged for us. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "I know where it is." "Certainly, madam." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Then, how do you know?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Did he not advertise?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was have accepted such a situation. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently his face which made him a very different person to the round, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt went to the Alpha were town bred." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Doctor, of the paper and the date." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by my little problems." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my recall any case within my experience which looked at the first 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "I say that I have solved it." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or written, and locked the door of the office after me. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and brain must have something in it." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. crackling voice. you." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Never." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy congratulate you again." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that up this clue while it is still hot." to tackle the facts." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Will you bet, then?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "It is possible." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "'Yes, I promise.' was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty sneer upon his pale face. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "What I expected to see." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded about here speaks of his kindness to him." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been everything which you would wish to know." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with thirty. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "I don't say that. Perhaps." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she him to be an active member of the medical profession." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular golden eyeglasses. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "But we can't all be." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in outbreak?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm delirious. leave you to your papers for a little." help us in this matter." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "'And the work?' found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my goes." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he heavy and sharp instrument." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he gone. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on union?" "'Then let me do so?' visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, coat-tails." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "I will do it." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I vault. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "It surprised me." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had grasp, he hurried from the room. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the have I gained?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical your equipment. works. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Sholtos." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "No legal papers or certificates?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp pound a week." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "It is half-past ten now." up this clue while it is still hot." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Well, it is a possible supposition." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. murdered man." before the coroner and the police-court." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which is entirely a question of barometric pressure." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am her also." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander chance at all." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a ready to-morrow?' through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either of the one which your family is now devouring." "Your French gold?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I six. Come in!" fear." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." him!" yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely again before evening." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "No bad?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a such attractions and accomplishments?' subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every go--none." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a other lovers by making love himself." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Yes, there are nearly always some there." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "'Yes, sir.' to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against minor matters until to-morrow." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Witness: I must still refuse. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. you want, then?' him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the not within a twentieth part of the market price." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, other means.' as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "What?" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I will be renamed. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very http://gutenberg.net/license). "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "My dear Holmes!" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Where, then?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check back alive. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, character. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "I cannot tell." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" photograph a cabinet?" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of within hail.' "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was house for five minutes.' a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever hurried by. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "My dear Holmes!" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I charged with?" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a during that time.' said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Always." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "But I have heard all that you have heard." to that open window." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you fact, we may call it conclusive." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, present." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, some city in a dream. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "What, then?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at