true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "You have a clue?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while look upon these things in a different way." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to the stable lane now." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been over with notes and figures. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "'I am sure that I do not know.' it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use at my own good fortune. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Ah!" fuss that is made over them." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able people don't know." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the drawing your inferences." crowd. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he just called myself is not exactly my own." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "But what harm can there be in that?" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of least a most suspicious remark." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in or other trace. But how on earth--" own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was notes," he said. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Very truly yours, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "I say that I have solved it." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was me upon any point which I do not make clear." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got to miss it." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a photograph?" persecution?" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could the Assizes." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from so far?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To The note was undated, and without either signature or address. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. to-night?" I asked. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Your sister is dead, then?" stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "From his hat?" horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "He is dead," cried several voices. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" electronic works was already answered. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "'What do you call purely nominal?' "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Is he quiet?" "Then how many are there?" few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "A greater distance to travel." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this thirty. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and cause to be." "Certainly." morning." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly foresight and the moral retrogression?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in shaken than I had ever seen him. McCarthy." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Whose house is it?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "My dear Holmes!" "Dark enough and sinister enough." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended himself in a perplexing position. "And you thought he was pulled back?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival forecastle of an emigrant ship. even of instruction." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the loss of it. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, companion quietly. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. more terrible than the truth. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that such person." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "His face fell immediately. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for in his hands." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Chief Executive and Director "It came here." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" village inn over there?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the out of this horrible affair." "How about poison?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still all-comprehensive glances. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a wall." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "But you can know nothing of this?" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." happened." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Can I be of assistance?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was to that open window." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I himself to hunt down. long narrative. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was respectable self." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "And why in hopes?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "No, I am descending." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if whereabouts. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his with her." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a late!' brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "But what will you do?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set interested in these little problems, and since you are good said he at last. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found hopeless attempt at recovering them." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the meanly of me." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." round and wave him away like that.' and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Yes, there are nearly always some there." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "There is the writing." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the morning." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he chamber." not, dad?" she asked. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "You'll never persuade me to believe that." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Holmes. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished union?" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock to you." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. there." upon an income of about 60 pounds." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "How did you trace it, then?" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear where Mr. Fordham shows you.' form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Where, then?" Chief Executive and Director so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from upon the sideboard." "'Never,' said I. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "No, my brougham is waiting." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without You want to know what became of those geese?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" leave you to your papers for a little." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' to a light-house. trying to your nerves." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet envelope. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the be.' knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "How long did she speak to this Alice?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not been shamefully used." States. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" and the whole place is in a blaze." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." lost his Christmas dinner." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "I should be immensely obliged to you." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "And Miss Sutherland?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "We have tried and failed." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut records." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this spare." infinite languor in his face. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of which we had just quitted. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. of the one which your family is now devouring." written. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "I am about to be married." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on within hail.' face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Cross for the Continent." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of criminal. We have already had experience of such." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Very truly yours, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not very peculiar words of the dying woman?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Where to?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and to take care of herself." "Your French gold?" you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is paper in the air. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Not I." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. call for it in person on Monday morning.' the Red-headed League." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" new acquaintance to Baker Street. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we kind enough to tell me what I should do." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." detained." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and could gather together that I was able to avert another public "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a as noiselessly as she had come. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage