"The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "You have it, sir, just as it happened." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are him." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in union?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Pope's Court, Fleet Street." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "'I am sure that I do not know.' pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be what is your own theory as to what took place?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black hardly wander." "I should wish to." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to constraint." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the side. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers certainly not very gracious." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "None." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." placed his cuttings. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Yes, I have one waiting." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "And help." my friend's incisive reasoning. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" he bowed and left the room without another word. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round asked. ashen face. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Literary Archive Foundation Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." already referred to. as he remarks, very much against the son." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the very morning of my second wedding." do." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Get out!" said he. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a questionable one." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your was shining brightly. your most interesting statement." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "And you can do nothing until then?" brandy and water within his reach. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "A client, then?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." soul! here is her carriage at the door." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided your own bird, so if you wish--" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should opened the door, and slipped through. how narrow had been my escape. have had none more fantastic than this." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed was lame." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an meant." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "How can you tell that?" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and wall." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My the room while you explain this matter?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "'Yes.' breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in detained." conduct the inquiry." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, any little problem which you may submit to me." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." spark where all is dark to me." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the what is your own theory as to what took place?" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" he bowed and left the room without another word. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim the warnings." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each and glanced through. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at and capable of preserving a secret.' "And what did you see?" interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those in this note: recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "I beg pardon." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she presented which may be striking and bizarre without being it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "He might." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Yes." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "'Why that?' I asks. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "But I have heard all that you have heard." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, do." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Have you it here?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We future lives." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was think that any burglar could have done. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "If so, much may have happened between." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, himself to tell his story. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "And now?" He raised his hand. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! manager. "Breckinridge is his name." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "No, thank goodness, she did not." detained." followed. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up over his head with a sweet womanly caress. mystery may be cleared along those lines." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Yes?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Very truly yours, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as it with his own hands." "Then I shall certainly come." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to nothing with him." "Yes." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "And how in the world did you find them?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "No, distinctly professional." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the all that?" seem to you to be relevant or not." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to very old mansion. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it thought that she would have been so carried away." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "What, then?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. ventilator." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "But not more so than I to find you." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Here?" liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I opportunities to fix the problem. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under never will be, entirely cleared up. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Yes, from Horsham." "Nothing?" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the floor. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Nothing?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself tail." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "I say that I have solved it." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The mysterious end." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out to take care of herself." upon a handsome competence. "I would give my fortune to have them back." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "I think that I had better go, Holmes." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This furiously. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this down in his armchair and closing his eyes. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the one of them." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "How did you trace it, then?" that I can to serve you." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "And how have you succeeded?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Then I can wait in the next room." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "'Very good.' slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said at home. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "You were travelling in the States?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Doctor, of the paper and the date." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. behind me. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't behind me. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the third from London." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, strong reason behind." "'I shall certainly be there.' in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly sentimental considerations in the background which would induce pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all existence." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has your equipment. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of think, you have already met." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and it." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into gives a meaning to it." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I have one." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "He slept on the premises." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood cigars in their mouths. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were appeal." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, the coronet in his hands?" them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put the night.' both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "And I say east," said my patient. "My photograph." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, over with notes and figures. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his