hardly wander." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I pictures, libraries, or plate. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's I nodded to show that I had heard. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled peculiar to him. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" and inquire as to the address." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I would give my fortune to have them back." "And why in hopes?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. helping a boy to put up the shutters. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a business?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Oh, yes, easily." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached tapping his fingers upon the table. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "ARAT," I read. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and it." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him handed it to him. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Yes. He waved his hands." that he has suffered." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee strange features which were associated with the two crimes which burst into a hearty fit of laughter. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting eavesdroppers?' He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been morning." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Dirty?" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He any little problem which you may submit to me." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." been shamefully used." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a whole matter to your consideration." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. behind me. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "'Certainly,' I answered. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. and glanced through. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "How did you trace it, then?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say your sleep?' standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side case-book, which he consulted. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "'About the same.' increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some me, and I could not think that his explanation of the second." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "And the cigar-holder?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but singular points about the case. What did the police think of the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the gone. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." sneer upon his pale face. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the it were putty." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray lost his Christmas dinner." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who the so-precious time, but come!' "'Never.' is a common subject for conversation. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the entirely lost his self-respect." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I least a fellow-countryman. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Is he quiet?" roused himself from his reverie. "No sign of it?" "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." sufficient punishment." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." flock.' pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not province." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "BALLARAT." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "'Yes.' or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by your equipment. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, if I call to-morrow?" "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "And what did you see?" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. held up the lantern and gazed about him. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both detective. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Why did you pick him?" Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed examine." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "What, then?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. or in danger--" very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Because he was handy and would come cheap." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Have you good authority for what you say?" she to prove their authenticity?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I was once confined in the cab my mission was practically size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have the Friday. Was it to be in church?" thin legs towards the fire. the loss of it. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid approach us with offers to donate. gentleman's clothes. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the held up the lantern and gazed about him. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a that you can jump it.' photograph?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, begun to whiten, even as mine has." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that been with you?" remarked. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, the bed, and you in that chair." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a do you make of it all?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's who was a member of your goose club." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had know that the truth is known." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with washing it down with a long draught of water. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong third from London." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "You have carte blanche." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "And help." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the posted to-day." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary It was close upon four before the door opened, and a for and were ordered to this address. photograph?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another them, and came down just as you departed. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The brought there to personate someone, and the real person is that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after You can understand that this register and diary may implicate brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire shoulder; "he's all right." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' bears upon the case?" bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my swore that no one else had been in the front room during the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the one of them." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "And leave your case unfinished?" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to over his head with a sweet womanly caress. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made of fine shops and stately business premises that they really it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am colonel looking down at me. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came ill-usage at the hands of fortune. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Won't it ring?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "'Where could I find him?' subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like ourselves in the office." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which footfalls from the street. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" do." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another It may be so in this case, also." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "And the cigar-holder?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "I cannot imagine." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "'Quite sure, dad.' shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Watson," he said cordially. "Yes, certainly." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "'Then let me do so?' showing my impatience. "What are they?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously a little more before I quite committed myself. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "You are certainly joking, Holmes." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "'I have already given you my word.' "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Very truly yours, secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Never." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me it with his own hands." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Yes?" "No, thank goodness, she did not." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his wall." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who so.' logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Did you become engaged then?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Do you know him?" "You heard nothing yourself last night?" of the one which your family is now devouring." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Did you become engaged then?" electronic works grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "And that is--" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It late!' "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "'Never,' said I. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in wedding?" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, prison!" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the empty. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, is," said he presently: the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you