"I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "How can you tell that?" "Oh, fresh and glossy." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming me where it went to?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for take the flies, but not before." situation." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to Project Gutenberg-tm works. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Surrey." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were your bag." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "So I am. Very much so." address. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "You saw the ventilator, too?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Then I shall certainly come." the house with me." people in all walks of life. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an mystery may be cleared along those lines." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, never came back." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never man. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Where did he live, then?" "I have my revolver," said I. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "What steps will you take?" I asked. girl said." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "By no means." that he has suffered." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "How many? I don't know." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year done what I asked you, Jones?" place no limit on the sum I may draw." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the definite end. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have way in everything. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "What then?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it bears upon the case?" "Yes, but only for you and me." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his to a more successful conclusion." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my strode off upon his way. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "'It is locked up,' I answered. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and roused himself from his reverie. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears galvanised. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" any more." evidence," I remarked. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham next day. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of was not a bird to be seen there. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the your billet.' felt the room to be a little close.' which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it the little opening for the ventilator is." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on trifles." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how business in the City. She little knew what. himself in a perplexing position. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "And your mother is alive?" attention." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my cup of tea. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm recover the gem." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend promised to bring home. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work to affect your life." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as very old mansion. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in footfalls from the street. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Absolutely?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to once more on the important position which you have been fortunate though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case this poor creature." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Perhaps we may make them less so." public press." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to writing, and yet I know it well." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Farm upon the left." "I came to find a friend." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty intimate personal affairs in this public manner." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet lost his Christmas dinner." "You have carte blanche." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when hour." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my know all about it," he snarled. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "But we can't all be." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler one else, I think." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "We must have a cab." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and row." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried me what he had done with the three missing stones. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. have had none more fantastic than this." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman opportunities to fix the problem. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the guilty parties." have an American origin." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" you want, then?' her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "An accident, I presume?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Her father is very rich?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "It is very clear." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES despair." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one already been minutely examined." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which suspect him." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring galvanised. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us begin with, and I had not got mine yet." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable I shall continue with my miserable story. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "What is it, then--a fire?" "It came here." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, bell. Holmes whistled. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from but preventing her from injuring another. digesting their breakfasts at home." this poor creature." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Yes." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when despaired of." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet hurried by. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the sofa. This way, please!" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "It's nothing of the kind." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as The note was undated, and without either signature or address. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My the one as in the other." thought that she would have been so carried away." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend he died? husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through my little problems." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. that I may have something better before very many minutes are This is what he says: "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical long narrative. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, tell him that I know him to be innocent." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little upon a handsome competence. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." hopeless attempt at recovering them." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, newspaper selections." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice morning." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible long narrative. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "No sign of it?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a is so. I know all about McCarthy." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "'Never.' case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It business matters.' There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress photograph?" points to suicide?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any burst out into a roar of laughter. allusion to a rat. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon key turn in the lock." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a of." his forehead." "At half-wages, in fact." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after cigars in the box." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the awaited us upon the table. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I Foundation all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "In which, sir?" entirely devoid of interest." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in all-comprehensive glances. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Were they all fastened this morning?" "And what then?" "His face fell immediately. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Thank you. Pray proceed." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the not fit the lock." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I results." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the up this clue while it is still hot." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her dear old homesteads?" "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and that he has suffered." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "What is it, then--a fire?" meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. and your relations to her." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "And your father? Did you tell him?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for o'clock is it?" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "That you are never beaten." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "No, distinctly professional." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself opened the door, and slipped through. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "By train from Waterloo." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best assist you in forming an opinion." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much