Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Very well, sir. And this stone?" your bag." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is the King without delay." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, rose-bushes. of them has the shutters up.' blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay presented which may be striking and bizarre without being weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no assist you in forming an opinion." morning." Dr. Gregory B. Newby should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have my little problems." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast said he at last. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I of the way of danger. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon once more to my work. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I enough to aid us in our search." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he but preventing her from injuring another. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "How do you know, then?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come he. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are him!" have I gained?" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to soul! here is her carriage at the door." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "But we can't all be." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort with the outside air!" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' I leave." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "You think so, too?" was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "How did he come?" "No, but the enclosure is." papers on the sundial.'" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City second window is the one that I jumped from." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is soul! here is her carriage at the door." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, future lives." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Will you bet, then?" you." "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my best detective that ever lived. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "That was it, sir." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be quite distinctive." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies simple cases which are so extremely difficult." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips constraint." newspaper selections." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, at once, for I have only half an hour." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." him to go away.' country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had father's young wife. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, like that before?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "But she could not love him." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "How many? I don't know." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Well, it is a possible supposition." the little opening for the ventilator is." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole down from London to inquire more deeply into it." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; do you make of it all?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "And I say east," said my patient. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with here." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Here?" and I shall be with you presently." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that it." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and as he folded up the epistle. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' there is a decided draught." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and I shall be with you presently." murdered man." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the persecution?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "'Yes, sir.' "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Yes, the wine-cellar." some terrible trap for her." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." morning." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Literary Archive Foundation young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." returning from some small jollification and was making his way My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old carpenter." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "They are typewritten," I remarked. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If other means.' young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and to surprise her." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his matter." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold straighten it?" Clair, of Lee." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an people in all walks of life. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a as noiselessly as she had come. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "And Irene Adler?" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "It was." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those lost his Christmas dinner." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds it with his own hands." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of he died? companion imperturbably. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six do.' truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, hour?' mystery." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of at home. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Chief Executive and Director wall." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "I was mad--insane." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or been shamefully used." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am have accepted such a situation. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "'Yes.' mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." would apply.' with the outside air!" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was time." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite kindly on the shoulder. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of cheerful." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "None." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "I cannot imagine." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there charged with?" "You have carte blanche." again on its way. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I detained." "The King of Scandinavia." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot that I am arrested." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. chill to my heart. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat this unhappy family?" putting in the horse. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "No, my brougham is waiting." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my had no one to advise her at such a crisis." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful hurried by. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." approach us with offers to donate. "'Which dealer's?' the very morning of the wedding." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and upon the shelf for the interim." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the him." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't have been better. It is all right." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. derbies." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "What will you say?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "You horrify me!" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had upon the sideboard." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, coroner's jury." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the stood on the top of it. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a gives a meaning to it." man. your own bird, so if you wish--" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." advice." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the question," said Holmes, smiling. amused." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know young Openshaw's." husband's writing, madam." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss fashion which was peculiar to him. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as must be when I saw the door open.' window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the and no precautions can guard against." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps even so self-evident a thing as that." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes call the police, let the police find what they can.' black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue telegram would bring me down to your help." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the returning from some small jollification and was making his way man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the very morning of the wedding." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "And you thought he was pulled back?" the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "I would pay ten." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner which I could not give. He asked for Alice. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of purpose of examination. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked place, I think that there is good ground to think that the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had is four-and-twenty." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Why did you beat the pavement?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I think you a quite exceptional woman." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves