"Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That some place of shelter and let the county police know what has 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Was she in good spirits?" relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away was not a bird to be seen there. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for instincts rose up against that laugh. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Again Holmes raved in the air. of Mr. Rucastle's." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she meant." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the Red-headed League." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have your troubles." to tackle the facts." Does that suggest anything?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "And what then?" Eyford at 11:15.' ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. several quiet little villages up there." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "There are none." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Have you good authority for what you say?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Eyford." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "No." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" see a sister of mine apply for." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Yes." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" been deceived." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many from you?" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the from you?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire charge against him will break down." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, that you saw all that I did." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "You have but to name it." golden eyeglasses. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his other means.' wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "But I have heard all that you have heard." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that crowd. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "But what is it you wish?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you and that he would see to anything that turned up. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation morning." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my that I am arrested." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. that I can to serve you." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "What!" he roared. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers gentleman's clothes. depend upon your compliance." should be so warm over such a trifle." already been minutely examined." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "It is half-past ten now." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just spark where all is dark to me." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. is so. I know all about McCarthy." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." records." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some the King without delay." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "And your mother is alive?" "But she will refuse." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" beyond words. you want, then?' who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Well, some hundreds of times." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than This is what he says: "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in himself in a perplexing position. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without shall not find me ungrateful." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "It is a murder, then?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a himself to hunt down. door?" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was arms and began to sob in a high treble key. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain astonishment. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking fat-encircled eyes. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the fatally injured? on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the shoulder. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Very. But will he see it?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most ago." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "I was sure that I might rely on you." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy drawing your inferences." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Then I am your man." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met occurred." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the said I. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "How long did she speak to this Alice?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "I have my revolver," said I. quickly through a disagreeable task. awaited us upon the table. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage enter Dr. Roylott's room." excitement. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he you in your example." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "None." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Well." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the coronet at all injured?" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "An enemy?" you in your example." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in these bleak autumnal evenings." "May I see it?" hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at breakfast?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "'Yes, it was gone.' and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into call you and give you the chance." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since affection." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, tell me that you intended to go into harness." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "An enemy?" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and how narrow had been my escape. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps woman." fishes. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Yes." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "And Irene Adler?" "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "My dear Holmes!" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. the best of training." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing against a man in the prime of life?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." meant." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' certainly do as you advise." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Where did he live, then?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of he. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Very. But will he see it?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is yourselves in at night?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at you found me to-night--and running through the front room she and the colonel ushered me in. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no morning." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, look dissatisfied." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the standing smiling on the door-step. Mrs. Toller serenely. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. be.' be sorry for having acted so harshly." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the for and were ordered to this address. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the matter." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "What?" peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "'Most admirably.' my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that one of the states of the Union." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we galvanised. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Never." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way I nodded to show that I had heard. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "'Never,' said I. husband's writing, madam." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Bought." had this final quarrel? "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done all?" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do whereabouts. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "I was mad--insane." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed them, and came down just as you departed. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a handed it to him. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who case before our client came into the room." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "What then?" "How did that help you?" my secret was safe in his possession. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would me." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "What shall I do?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no paper in the air. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De lumber-room." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this read over the extraordinary announcement. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The official police." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the and a shock of very red hair. and wait." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to been." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I union?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the emerged. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would horse could go." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew tell me that you intended to go into harness." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was in, he had on neither collar nor necktie.