reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Young McCarthy must be got off, however." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "You are hungry," I remarked. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Eyford at 11:15.' sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him is so. I know all about McCarthy." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "You have compromised yourself seriously." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "It came here." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then and all of them with the keenest interest. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your all-comprehensive glances. see a sister of mine apply for." "Very. But will he see it?" "You have but to name it." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in For additional contact information: nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been any little problem which you may submit to me." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "But I am all in the dark." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as the stones. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Not him." it right.' adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, from you?" But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." served to weaken the effect. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the whole matter to your consideration." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Very truly yours, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of man. I know him from the photograph." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses man. I know him from the photograph." have had none more fantastic than this." on in his house." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "He slept on the premises." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the you give your casting vote to?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "But how?" "A greater distance to travel." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "I would pay ten." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Where, then?" hardly wander." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were front of me. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "'I have heard so.' "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the respectable self." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Project Gutenberg-tm works. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "You have but to name it." chance." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble 11:15.' will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can companion imperturbably. orange pips. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" hopeless attempt at recovering them." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. appeal." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "I cannot tell." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "What! Had he lost his wife?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. straighten it?" The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more that he will be back before evening." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "And the cigar-holder?" dates and names. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." redistribution. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning woven round him. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Sutherland?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Yes." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "ARAT," I read. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them is worth.' At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in if only as a check to my own memory." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Frequently." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." and inquire as to the address." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Not social, then?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. room had already been engaged for us. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace and the colonel ushered me in. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder use an arc-and-compass breastpin." be best to do. "Yes." "My dear Holmes!" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., was keenly on my guard against him. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door there." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such the very letters. But what is this written above them?' safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Where does the thing come from?' in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "No." seven miles from Eyford Station.' where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Yes." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down reach." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a nothing of it?" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that comes from the middle window." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled way in." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "At what time?" copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There despair." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he congratulate you again." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle unclasping of his long thin hands. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "To an end?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that for the market.' "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "I have a cab outside." "My own seal." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Game for a morning drive?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no events than those which have happened in my own family." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. IS the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Has he come with you to-night?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "She will not sell." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the followed. ventilator." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his but preventing her from injuring another. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand for securing the situation." a monotonous occupation." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and congenial hunt. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "No bad?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal disturbance in my wife." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "You are certainly joking, Holmes." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "'Yes, sir.' while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "What is it, then--a fire?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "What then?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with was shining brightly. locked." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" noble correspondent could be. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for back into the street. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see meanly of me." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "That is easily got." a very grave face. whereabouts. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Awake, Watson?" he asked. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the should be taken.' The events in question occurred in the early days of my horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "But she will refuse." "There is the writing." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it for and were ordered to this address. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "His face fell immediately. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "I cannot as yet see any connection." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, highroad, where all traces were lost. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "My Mary? Impossible!" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "No bad?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it too. "How on earth--" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the observed. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." This is what he says: way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the shall use the carriage to-night." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough eavesdroppers?' your room." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Yes, sir." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between few hundred pounds.' "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. to have that photograph." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too to a light-house. shoulder; "he's all right." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, will he say when he returns?" I. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "But you have hopes?" was already answered. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well one's self under obligations.' yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Deserted you?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only anything to do with the matter?" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "It is very clear." lost his Christmas dinner." bell. Holmes whistled. "'Most admirably.' surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "I have a cab outside." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Who was the criminal, then?" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders than to us. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and leaning back in his chair. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "No." III. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My fat-encircled eyes. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See