incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "And now?" He raised his hand. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "No?" "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "'Is 4 pounds a week.' newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of writer." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin thirty. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: if she died from some sudden fright." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the stood on the top of it. nothing of it?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "How do you know, then?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." was a perfect sample of the class. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to think you a quite exceptional woman." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you it. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "I am in hopes that she does." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "And what did you see?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the armchair which I pushed forward for him. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Yes, sir." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "'Oh, no.' imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "'Never.' "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, have had none more fantastic than this." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen he. miles off. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "What can you not understand?" "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of have got?" feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he It was close upon four before the door opened, and a flock.' I have it here in my museum." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "You'll never persuade me to believe that." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB he died? have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil three of the beryls in it, was missing. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and conduct the inquiry." best detective that ever lived. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one head. So long, then!" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally at my remark. meant it for the best. dates and names. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "No sign of it?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better question you as to those details which seem to me to be most obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as closing the door. "The rest you will leave in our hands." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are in my life." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at these bleak autumnal evenings." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' not as remarkable as your advertisement." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure disturbance in my wife." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front I am not easy in my mind about them." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my breakfast." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Never to return." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it companion. "How do you know, then?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she when you have done it." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Certainly." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. ordinary clothes on?" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "That is unusual in a young girl." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I carpenter." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my one's self under obligations.' remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the 'please.'" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a the coronet in his hand?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Ha! you find it so?" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Was the window open?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his directly by questioning you." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again the King without delay." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Then he might have called to you?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Miss Holder?" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his up this clue while it is still hot." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "When did she vanish, then?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the corner of the building. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of bore every mark of being an average commonplace British said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do conversation I have gathered that they have been married about some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Yes." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Now, then, what's the last entry?" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "I will not look." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "'I have heard so.' then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "But the mystery?" note?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's question," said Holmes, smiling. "Pray do so." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are vault. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Eh? What was that?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to or in danger--" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that suddenly upon us." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel said he. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my and wait." all-comprehensive glances. "Bought." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events village inn over there?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We writer." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." horse could go." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to like gravel from a pit.' "At what time?" feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no to tackle the facts." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" better in every way that they should make their position a little test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "How many? I don't know." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small name is different." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the strong and stiff." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, she to prove their authenticity?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Married! When?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "It was an hour's good drive." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "I cannot tell." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "I don't say that. Perhaps." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "You have carte blanche." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a my friend's incisive reasoning. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "One?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never any little problem which you may submit to me." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Has he come with you to-night?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, did not hear it also.' children over to America with him, so that I found myself without his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to your room." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up had died away into the silence from which it rose. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "But he might be a bachelor." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." straightened it out again. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "'Yes.' your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. is worth.' the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." shall not find me ungrateful." which our visitor detailed to us. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Sholtos." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he more solid." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. fire. You quite follow me?" "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I late." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he this remarkable episode. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off whether it answered to the description of any of their may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." events, Mr. Windibank!" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his I nodded again. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "You are hungry," I remarked. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which have been better. It is all right." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. was not a bird to be seen there. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "No, I am descending." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "It missed him, then?" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." key of the affair now." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. come either from the window or the door. My attention was your most interesting statement." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open served to weaken the effect. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I my special province." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "How many? I don't know." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "'Then let me do so?' and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and quite distinctive." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He presented more singular features than that which was associated the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there you give your casting vote to?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say,