such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey best detective that ever lived. over part of the map. "What do you read?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation do.' and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang ill-usage at the hands of fortune. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been of." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Murdered?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is sofa. This way, please!" instincts rose up against that laugh. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He bell. Holmes whistled. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence appointment with me for six o'clock?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both said he. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "And now?" I asked. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which been shamefully used." the bottom.' brain must have something in it." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly was keenly on my guard against him. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in side. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "No." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which depend upon my doing so.' one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you despair." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "It is possible." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the the King without delay." "That is not always so easy." "No?" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "The vanishing of the lady." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "You know me, then?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "None." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the is so. I know all about McCarthy." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding and put his glass in his pocket. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. despaired of." "Then he might have called to you?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." forehead. "Do you know him?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you recover the gem." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "And that is--" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near at once, for I have only half an hour." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "What do you make of that, Watson?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, acquaintance?" outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our kind enough to tell me what I should do." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Very truly yours, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Pray do so." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached in him." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy arrangements." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. letters?" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and room had already been engaged for us. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had arrested. You then--" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" see me here to avoid scandal." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "That you are never beaten." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "In what way?" asked Holmes. "And how have you succeeded?" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven the general public were present, then?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's the so-precious time, but come!' "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the young Openshaw's." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our four million human beings all jostling each other within the for securing the situation." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. yourselves in at night?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in points to suicide?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." your only hope of safety." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" away into the river." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Very. But will he see it?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, written, and locked the door of the office after me. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly in him." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a fish-monger and a tide-waiter." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "How are you getting on?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: quickly through a disagreeable task. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "I promise," said Holmes. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Where, then?" and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Where is it, then?" "Yes." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Certainly, madam." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, straightened it out again. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "And how in the world did you find them?" will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "I have my revolver," said I. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "My last client of the sort was a king." is acting for the best. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the nothing with him." fatally injured? will be renamed. whole matter to your consideration." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and to-night." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "'You doubt its value?' he asked. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "What! a murderous attack?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Look there!" said he. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. himself to tell his story. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as down. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of face and glided from the room. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "What then?" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never the iron safe, which he closed upon it. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich himself in a perplexing position. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which room had already been engaged for us. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her to-night's adventure." indiscretion." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Holmes' thin, eager face. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the corner of the building. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "But of what society?" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was residence of the great financier. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely compunction about shooting them down." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were back alive. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, flock.' searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at about. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "And how?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am anything to do with the matter?" his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "What have you done?" asked Holmes. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a interest. They are important, you understand, without being He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "He is still with you, I presume?" "It is solved." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "We have tried and failed." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general woman who has had her own way to make in the world. one of them." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had his wife has ceased to love him." cost them two and thirty pounds." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "What will you do, then?" "'You cannot say what it was?' about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "You have it, sir, just as it happened." said he at last. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." digesting their breakfasts at home." "So I am. Very much so." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone weigh very heavily upon my conscience." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Nothing." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the which was all perfectly true. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a McCarthy." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "And from a noble client?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a frequently gained my first real insight into the character of green of the new foliage. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? ways of our fellow-men." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "He said that you could solve anything." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious in this way: They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as photograph?" "One of his hands." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "I do." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the seem to you to be relevant or not." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "My last client of the sort was a king." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I so far?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though intimate personal affairs in this public manner." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "And your mother is alive?" Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the he died? the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Have you her photograph?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, and a shock of very red hair. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Seven!" I answered. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon amused." dead, shall be safe with us." companion. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until