straighten it?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed wall." "'Oh, no.' Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "'What are you doing there?' he asked. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "In answer to an advertisement." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side suggested at once that there must be a communication between the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He undoubtedly my uncle's." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their mystery." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "'Certainly not. But why?' "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and ceremony." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by definite end. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked grasp, he hurried from the room. ourselves in the office." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from people in all walks of life. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Arthur Conan Doyle was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." again." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "'What, the red-headed man?' "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George anything to a woman, for she would have her way." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with been." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." leaning back in his chair. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into strong reason behind." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the roots. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it as he folded up the epistle. in his hands." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "And Miss Sutherland?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears the house with me." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a developed." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That awaited us upon the table. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He crime." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question ourselves in the office." placed his cuttings. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Yes, sir." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest there in twenty minutes." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for discontent upon his features. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel me. You must get home instantly and act." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke other means.' however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide exactly what you advise." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a You want to know what became of those geese?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a extraordinary contortions. "Just look it up, then." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always appeal." "Of what?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation You can understand that this register and diary may implicate now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" front of me. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when presented which may be striking and bizarre without being me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Never." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "That is unusual in a young girl." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H security.' too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each nonsense.' in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Yes, it was twisted." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, speckled band?" silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his crackling voice. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." away to you." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears chance." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from there in twenty minutes." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it served to weaken the effect. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to His name is Francis Prosper." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "No good news?" He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Very. But will he see it?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a miles off. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say do.' "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Holmes. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was have had none more fantastic than this." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped nonsense.' second window is the one that I jumped from." of the one which your family is now devouring." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and away to you." corner of the building. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that appointment with me for six o'clock?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I it means?" bonnet, and went out." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." correct than the official force." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was nights." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. posted to-day." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that chance at all." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "'And what salary do you ask?' now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been you?' you." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the you give your casting vote to?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling returned to France?" same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "How can you tell that?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Precisely." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "A greater distance to travel." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Was your sister dressed?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on was feeling which was the fattest.' while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these had a long day." "The landlord of the Alpha." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the points to suicide?" shaken than I had ever seen him. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. together. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE depend upon your compliance." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Doctor, of the paper and the date." followed. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have nonsense.' "By train from Waterloo." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "My dear Holmes!" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had observed. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, any little problem which you may submit to me." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "What are they?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Lestrade of Scotland Yard." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "10th. John Swain cleared. hand, madam?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "That's no good." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and the night.' those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, in a friendly supper." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "But his left-handedness." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Did you become engaged then?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" would apply.' roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper the coronet at all injured?" deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "How are you getting on?" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. are, and they are waiting for us." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too developed." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in manager. might help us?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Pool. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to of receipt of the work. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at the date of his supposed suicide." in his hands." "Yes, the wine-cellar." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Entirely." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, The police have openly confessed that they can at present make total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of if she died from some sudden fright." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may unprecedented a position." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this the station." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have public press." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass Edgeware Road. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was gbnewby@pglaf.org "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already of this gang." "My photograph." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "I cannot tell." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were time." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Witness: Nothing definite. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to there." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at Holmes' face clouded over. both be extremely obliged.' "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the not come at once?" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of