But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom not within a twentieth part of the market price." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Stolen, then." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There definite end. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for horse could go." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "What, then, did Peterson do?" "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: out." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any upon a handsome competence. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "No legal papers or certificates?" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard companion quietly. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "I will get her to show me." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At brought there to personate someone, and the real person is I nodded again. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "I beg pardon." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his way in everything. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Leadenhall Street--and--" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "We have tried and failed." and a shock of very red hair. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon furiously. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously enter Dr. Roylott's room." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this look dissatisfied." what I may call a really hard day's work." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the and the church but not where the lady lived." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "In heaven's name, what for?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that was lame." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind that you can jump it.' "We have tried and failed." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Married! When?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have some place of shelter and let the county police know what has of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the enough to aid us in our search." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally quite distinctive." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill carried out of court." outside." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard papers on the sundial.'" have not had my rubber." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking in one or two places in England?' have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a that I may have something better before very many minutes are "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the coronet at all injured?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of death." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Witness: I must still refuse. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his newspaper selections." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' time." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question must compliment you." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at fluttered off among the others. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Certainly, madam." generous with you in money matters.' nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "By no means." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for looking up at the numbers of the houses." call the police, let the police find what they can.' grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Here?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the salesman. "I shall be delighted." Mary, has deserted me." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an I nodded again. head. So long, then!" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant undoubtedly my uncle's." about. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. purpose of examination. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to putting in the horse. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to you." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir his huge brown hands. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are murdered man." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is opened a pocket-book and took out a note. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers to-night?" I asked. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Very murderous indeed." "Why, what do you mean?" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "No?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one new duties?' habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has distinguish the words: my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa 11:15.' "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I deduce something from that?" a little more before I quite committed myself. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they weary and pale-looking. at my own good fortune. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "It's nothing of the kind." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we I have it here in my museum." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden cause to be." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Really! You surprise me." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He a little more before I quite committed myself. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking are windows in it, of course?" "Witness: I must still refuse. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, face and glided from the room. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "No bad?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two straightened it out again. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a started for the Temple to see my husband. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for train from Paddington which would bring you there at about well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "What is it, then--a fire?" walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" of them has the shutters up.' "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Pray be precise as to details," said he. McCarthy." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "I am following you closely," I answered. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "What can you not understand?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Very truly yours, me. You must get home instantly and act." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their of his shoulders. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Nothing?" Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Precisely." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this than was visible to me." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Again Holmes raved in the air. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them if only as a check to my own memory." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still business." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between persecution?" your room." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for national property. I was determined that the law should have its threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he upon an income of about 60 pounds." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the for securing the situation." emerged. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I but preventing her from injuring another. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "What! You do not mean bodies?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a chill to my heart. hereditary King of Bohemia." horse could go." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! seem to you to be relevant or not." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that that there was nothing in it, after all." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Which are?" "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, come either from the window or the door. My attention was there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Holmes' room. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew one of the states of the Union." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." questioning and rather startled gaze. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "I cannot think." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" in his power. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went threw himself down with his face to the pillow. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Holmes' room.