might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "The Cedars?" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "You have but to name it." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the Assizes." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "I have my revolver," said I. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out me. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "That was it, sir." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Very truly yours, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote and laid it on the table. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES question. "Well." reach." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he which we had just quitted. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an in the port of London." "But you were on a friendly footing?" Foundation the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Seven!" I answered. and the colonel ushered me in. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." case-book, which he consulted. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Which surely he restored to their owner?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in quite distinctive." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just carriage. It was a chestnut." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted meanly of me." she might be summoned. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Pool. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. the little opening for the ventilator is." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a direction." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every used to be." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if mysterious business." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business think that any burglar could have done. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly to some other building. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "And you thought he was pulled back?" purpose equally well?" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after hand, madam?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "'I am sure if I had known--' matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? read it out to me." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her troubles have been weighing upon his mind. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from It may be so in this case, also." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "I will not look." III. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to furiously. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "He disappeared so suddenly." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which London for the present?" "On your arm?" lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "And why in hopes?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I of this gang." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "To the police?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Here?" "Murdered?" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful into the room. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to clang of the bell. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "It is possible." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Whose house is it?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Nothing?" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "What of the rat, then?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Sutherland. bedroom door." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Yes, sir." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream both be extremely obliged.' just ask you whether you had heard it.' But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Then how many are there?" us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the observed. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back acquaintance?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all have been better. It is all right." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other was keenly on my guard against him. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Heh?' on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were name is different." "A confidential servant?" "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin companion. "Your presence might be invaluable." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Which are?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Gutenberg-tm License. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" extraordinary contortions. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "And how have you succeeded?" which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Certainly." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. next day. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" article?" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "He is dead," cried several voices. whatever might befall. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "The murder was done with it." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are Pope's Court. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but what these perils are?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been before, for it was considerably after midnight. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the outbreak?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "In what way?" asked Holmes. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "I have a cab outside." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Clair, of Lee." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Can I be of assistance?" and glanced through. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our light and attacked it." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. unclasping of his long thin hands. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for this unhappy family?" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "You think so, too?" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth six. Come in!" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, started for the Temple to see my husband. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Countess of Morcar's?" Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my crackling voice. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. trifles." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Henry Baker is a member." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his points to suicide?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection presume?" "Look there!" said he. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by meant." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "From his hat?" "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only footfalls from the street. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "But who is he?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way over his head with a sweet womanly caress. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the McCarthy." "It is true that I have been generally successful." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Get out!" said he. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Chief Executive and Director "Ha! you find it so?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and everything which you would wish to know." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was criminal. We have already had experience of such." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "It is solved." felt the room to be a little close.' over part of the map. "What do you read?" opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for this as likely?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each least a fellow-countryman. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful people in all walks of life. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "To an English lawyer named Norton." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's chance at all." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is answered with a sidelong glance. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the upon the shelf for the interim." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora friend's singular character. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. upon an income of about 60 pounds." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be dead, shall be safe with us." "In which, sir?" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning out of this horrible affair." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you the salesman. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "'Which dealer's?' that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send villagers almost as much as their master. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Then, how do you know?" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Yes." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of was used.' for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on you understand?" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were that the gas is not laid on in his house?" writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor,