his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Ten will be early enough." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a window when the police appeared." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was must be when I saw the door open.' There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and lips." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose drawing your inferences." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you my secret was safe in his possession. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "He is still with you, I presume?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other and I shall be with you presently." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Perfectly so." "Texas, I think." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would fuss that is made over them." upon a handsome competence. for its centre. cigars in the box." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never not, dad?" she asked. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better to some other building. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon of a light. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." through." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as works. See paragraph 1.E below. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." prisoner's face. important." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A I think that I could be of assistance to you." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Certainly." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which people don't know." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep whereabouts. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, photograph a cabinet?" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a like gravel from a pit.' house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Only as much as we can deduce." "She will not sell." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I with the outside air!" "'A dozen yards or so.' the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat completely overtopped every other consideration that we both utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" posted to-day." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Then, as to money?" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "I never have." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I so.' Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. seen the man in the road." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning felt the room to be a little close.' held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. lumber-room." "It certainly sounds feasible." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new locked. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, without a word or a look. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the there is a decided draught." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, meant." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will This is what he says: "'Certainly,' I answered. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "'And the work?' Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant during that time.' both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," him to be an active member of the medical profession." Eyford at 11:15.' four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, leaning back in his chair. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it meanly of me." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me walking." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "In answer to an advertisement." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in empty. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "You are all wrong." spark where all is dark to me." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Always." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to window when the police appeared." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the in. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "That is unusual in a young girl." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and October 9, 1890. "I am still in the dark." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat she used." at once, for I have only half an hour." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until may never be exposed to such a temptation." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE upon the white wrist. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "You think so, too?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a again on its way. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will things are very often connected not with the larger but with the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, down. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "And is that all?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea hour?' established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, later, upon the night of May 2nd." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." late." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "That you are never beaten." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can wedding?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first article?" Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "But you can know nothing of this?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "None." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Does that suggest anything?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had upon a handsome competence. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "But the mystery?" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The vanished into the darkness. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "And who is her maid?" telegram would bring me down to your help." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his nonsense.' with you alone." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the if she died from some sudden fright." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." British peeress.'" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that man. I know him from the photograph." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point in the dead of the night?' grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his then?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the are, and they are waiting for us." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' make me his representative both with the servants and with the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. views." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. cigars in the box." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more from the brougham. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with triumphant cloud from his cigarette. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "That you are never beaten." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, pierced for earrings?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Which are?" however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to even of instruction." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off in his power. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Did your wife hear all this?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his assist you in forming an opinion." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has suddenly upon us." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "That's no good." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their works. See paragraph 1.E below. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for him to be an active member of the medical profession." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the papers on the sundial.'" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "And Miss Sutherland?" assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But when you have done it." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute money should be paid at once.' thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "You have compromised yourself seriously." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "'There is a drive, then?' from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I thirty. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "No, finished." girl said." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It down. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, appointment with me for six o'clock?" Farm upon the left." "What can you not understand?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll that the gas is not laid on in his house?" the general public were present, then?" thin, with a long, sharp nose?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Holmes' face clouded over. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Pray continue your narrative." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it the driver. DISSOLVED. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at know that the truth is known." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of to take care of herself." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from with frightened eyes at his accuser. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in to change my dress. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "And the murderer?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "And sit in the dark?" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of during that time.' upon the sideboard." the so-precious time, but come!' "Whose house is it?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I must compliment you." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Because he was handy and would come cheap." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the and capable of preserving a secret.' staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Dr. Becher's." without a word or a look. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to forehead. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been it were putty." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate place of silver." certainly not very gracious." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep official police." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "What! Had he lost his wife?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking the window, rose as we entered. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Did you become engaged then?"