that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of is so. I know all about McCarthy." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Pray tell us what has happened to you." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain present strange and interesting features that it is no easy gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Well?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is relation between them, and what the object of his repeated that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had charge against him will break down." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious is a common subject for conversation. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, to-night." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Frequently." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "That also I could fathom." front of me. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "He might." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one posted to-day." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one to change my dress. been able to understand it, in a very few words. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You morning." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no from you?" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have my special province." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to business?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "I say it is." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had girl said." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "None." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are father's place of business?" "Very much so." to arrive at through this?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "None. Neville wrote those words." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Well, some hundreds of times." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "That is easily got." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the go back?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "And what did you learn from him?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as official police." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself in this note: as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in guilty parties." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So criminal. We have already had experience of such." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "What! Had he lost his wife?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I it." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Here?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "No, thank goodness, she did not." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief approach us with offers to donate. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off nights." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and matters immensely." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we seven miles from Eyford Station.' my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not be.' "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "It was an hour's good drive." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved key turn in the lock." "The Cedars?" "Well." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Well, it is a possible supposition." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." to have that photograph." prisoner's face. purpose equally well?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk sufficient punishment." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." which it had come upon my father." and a shock of very red hair. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed vanished into the darkness. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An you." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Clair, of Lee." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. despaired of." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg answer." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "I am sure." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "If I can be of use." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "I don't say that. Perhaps." pierced for earrings?" call for it in person on Monday morning.' The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "On your arm?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Where, then, is my wife?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too License. You must require such a user to return or visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "On your arm?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he affection." me have 200 pounds?' full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most morning." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "'No, I know no one in these parts.' the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "I would pay ten." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond colour had been driven from his face. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the coroner come to?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. approach us with offers to donate. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Where did he live, then?" floor. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "I don't believe it." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "And how in the world did you find them?" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to to have that photograph." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "And I to find an enemy." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" him nearly every evening." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William there." present." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "You heard nothing yourself last night?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? and effective." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear to me. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "I say that I have solved it." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of seven miles from Eyford Station.' front of the hall door has given its name to the place. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the DISSOLVED. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is late." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "You are certainly joking, Holmes." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished think you a quite exceptional woman." "Come in!" said he. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "The landlord of the Alpha." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and gbnewby@pglaf.org game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. and effective." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' peculiar to him. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in had this final quarrel? collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "It is true that I have been generally successful." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Yesterday." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take sooner or later she must fall a victim. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "She walked into the breakfast-room." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the window, rose as we entered. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** goes." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "What! Had he lost his wife?" "'Is purely nominal.' foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "No, I am descending." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable I shall communicate with you." "No, finished." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these sufficient punishment." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who considering the formidable letters which were received by himself had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story said he. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in experiences." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I nights." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Yes." of it with the greatest attention. "I think it very unlikely." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any own family. seen the man in the road." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a a very grave face. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. upon the sideboard." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "You will not go there first?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the and no precautions can guard against." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this it." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that had died away into the silence from which it rose. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from round and wave him away like that.' we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar lips." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right signal between you and your father? He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not highly," said Holmes. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "There are none." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his Holmes rather sternly. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them elbow where you rest it upon the desk?"