back alive. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me cigars in the box." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Well, it is a possible supposition." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was to have been novel and of interest." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. from you?" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Holmes. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative late." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that confronted him. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "And why?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "We have tried and failed." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco little trying to do so much typewriting?" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across confronted him. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Where did he live, then?" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "I assure you that I am in your hands." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "You are hungry," I remarked. tapping his fingers upon the table. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham it with his own hands." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" nonsense.' "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are them?" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I goes." asked with his eyes open. guilty parties." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite charge against him will break down." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "How many? I don't know." opened the door, and slipped through. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' again." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have third from London." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit overpowering excitement and concern. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Countess of Morcar's?" woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. sparkled upon his finger. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "No." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger searched, without anything being found which could incriminate feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Sholtos." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "I am in hopes that she does." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great questionable one." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush touch that coronet?' spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Upon what point?" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, thirty. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." one's self under obligations.' lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so my room." hopeless attempt at recovering them." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' infinite languor in his face. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "One of the highest in England." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded already been minutely examined." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Where does the thing come from?' no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have to affect your life." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed IS Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Who was the criminal, then?" "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the chamber." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." 'please.'" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' prisoner's face. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal fattened it expressly for you.' say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "The rest you will leave in our hands." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. success. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." affair. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Pray continue your narrative." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. will he say when he returns?" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but tear off another piece?' and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said companion quietly. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and used to be." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." lumber-room." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Pray let us have it, for all that." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, desk. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT next day. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the think you a quite exceptional woman." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "I will, Miss Turner." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "I will get her to show me." "But not more so than I to find you." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social that you can jump it.' my friend's incisive reasoning. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "9th. McCauley cleared. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Only as much as we can deduce." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw colonel looking down at me. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "And from a noble client?" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw you came in." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "In heaven's name, what for?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "I assure you that I am in your hands." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so The summons was a brief and urgent one. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said the Red-headed League." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a will be renamed. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "It goes to the housekeeper's room." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the were new raised from a basin. about here speaks of his kindness to him." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Not particularly." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Dark enough and sinister enough." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the very morning of the wedding." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. outbreak?" same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "I promise," said Holmes. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your examine." "By train from Waterloo." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. to that open window." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only man. "And that is--" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the crime." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single o'clock is it?" a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, all that?" saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "It came here." weighed down with some great anxiety. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't tapping his fingers upon the table. "Just look it up, then." to-morrow." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Was the window open?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and it." "What of the rat, then?" matters immensely." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism appeal." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. was used.' "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the coronet in his hand?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "'Tell me all about it,' said I. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "A confidential servant?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out posted to-day." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Gutenberg-tm License. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the assist you in forming an opinion." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and crime." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "That is not always so easy." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes chill to my heart. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Witness: I must still refuse. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "My stepfather's business papers." "How can you tell that?" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn like gravel from a pit.' some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Never." point in the dark hollow of his hand. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to with her." "Entirely." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "What!" he roared. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary father's young wife. "How did he come?" matter." himself in a perplexing position. and all of them with the keenest interest. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work said he, "my real name is James Ryder." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true see a sister of mine apply for." purpose of examination. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "In answer to an advertisement." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Which are?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to noble correspondent could be. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Very truly yours, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, helping a boy to put up the shutters. nice household for a young lady." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite ordinary clothes on?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I again, where I was soon asleep. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his me have 200 pounds?' housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "So I have heard." "'You cannot say what it was?' "But his lameness?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me,