the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At relief. "What I expected to see." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet danger is over." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three or in danger--" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, later, upon the night of May 2nd." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "And I say east," said my patient. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was one's self under obligations.' him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his good for you to do.' pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. is four-and-twenty." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she purpose equally well?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Game for a morning drive?" Where does the thing come from?' "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my train.' "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Chief Executive and Director marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "You were travelling in the States?" business matters.' the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Of Friday, June 19th." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and before the coroner and the police-court." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was neither fascinating nor artistic." Sholtos." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "And Miss Sutherland?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had I nodded again. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he You can understand that this register and diary may implicate which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "You forget that I know nothing about it." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to in the port of London." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy your own bird, so if you wish--" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the and looked back. room had already been engaged for us. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Dirty?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the placed his cuttings. occurred." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his the child." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. any little problem which you may submit to me." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Street. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "How did that help you?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a strength in the others." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "No, but the enclosure is." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went be sorry for having acted so harshly." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax villagers almost as much as their master. "Nearly eleven." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "'Quite sure, dad.' could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Yes, they were peculiar boots." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right horse could go." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "But we can't all be." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "It must be recovered." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "None." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at attention." imbecility!" he cried. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the his face. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge sound at heart." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he make me his representative both with the servants and with the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the I nodded to show that I had heard. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress better in every way that they should make their position a little which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that said he at last. sooner or later she must fall a victim. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was with you alone." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at on re-entering her father's house?" used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "My dear Holmes!" me where it went to?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." not fit the lock." forebodings. look dissatisfied." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "'Entirely.' The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to but preventing her from injuring another. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day in this way: began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had for the market.' paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend correct than the official force." to Leatherhead. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no to take care of herself." the coronet in his hands?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a for the market.' "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "What!" he roared. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For as yours." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, more solid." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange you?' settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "'Most admirably.' my former friend and companion. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a and looked back. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are who was a member of your goose club." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "I am following you closely," I answered. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Yes, at the mines." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Is he quiet?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was The note was undated, and without either signature or address. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and placed his cuttings. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "But his lameness?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own or in danger--" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you assist you in forming an opinion." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the newspaper selections." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless over here." "And that is--" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, from the brougham. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. placed his cuttings. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only through." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "But how could you guess what the motive was?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, bare slabs of marble. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward room had already been engaged for us. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Quite so." horse could go." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my your Highness to the police-station?" to-night?" I asked. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is roused himself from his reverie. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What the Red-headed League." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "But you have hopes?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "But to whom?" congenial hunt. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box evidence," I remarked. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will that there was nothing in it, after all." "I have come for advice." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond one which it was hard to resist. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You behind me. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Quite so." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. guilty one." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have me upon any point which I do not make clear." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "But it has twice been burgled." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "There is the writing." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a been lifted and conveyed somewhere." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Sutherland?" "What, then, did Peterson do?" Holmes rather sternly. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the and all of them with the keenest interest. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "What are they?" Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up your billet.' with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "No sign of it?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and retorted upon me, and I on you." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through remarked. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which in darkness. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out generous with you in money matters.' as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Sholtos." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "We must have a cab." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a secret." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter and glanced through. chambers. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with present." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "No." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "I cannot tell." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I undoubtedly my uncle's." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "You forget that I know nothing about it." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. father's place of business?" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Married! When?" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to orange pips. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not that he will be back before evening." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. sufficient punishment." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from wall." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "But how?" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To The police have openly confessed that they can at present make has little to do with my story." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance success.