***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir him!" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and you." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it it." "And from a noble client?" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a go--none." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a this poor creature." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy thin, with a long, sharp nose?" fact, we may call it conclusive." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar carpenter." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, out." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "I will try. What is it?" the ceiling. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "By all means." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known impression behind it as though a window had gently closed think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would of his shoulders. dramatic, in fact." said I. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "And how did you find out?" the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful meant it for the best. such person." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again look upon these things in a different way." had picked up in the wood. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. ran thus: and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am purpose of examination. yet." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "About a month then." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the little opening for the ventilator is." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Certainly." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered she slowly sank and died without having recovered her with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by goes." suddenly upon us." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted been." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the all?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Who was the criminal, then?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and directors have had misgivings upon the subject." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. suddenly upon us." of his shoulders. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of forecastle of an emigrant ship. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to It was close upon four before the door opened, and a matters immensely." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from child?' seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "You horrify me." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "About a month then." in my life." "What will you do, then?" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his the coroner come to?" populous neighbourhood." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. a good hundred miles off by now." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will lectures into a series of tales." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting troubles have been weighing upon his mind. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. get her out of the way." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached the little opening for the ventilator is." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Street. through." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "But of what society?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent remarked. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window into the bag, and made for the door. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the them?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel maiden herself was most instructive." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in seen the man in the road." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work highly," said Holmes. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too of it with the greatest attention. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Only as much as we can deduce." But Holmes shook his head gravely. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when individual and becomes the badge of a society." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "I was mad--insane." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "I never have." "I say that I have solved it." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage page at http://pglaf.org or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "You heard nothing yourself last night?" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Yes." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "In answer to an advertisement." "Certainly." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of residence of the great financier. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself trying to your nerves." morning." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Do you know him?" "Very truly yours, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Have you good authority for what you say?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't purpose equally well?" "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your as yours." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "He is dead," cried several voices. way in everything. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "'Is purely nominal.' "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and to affect your life." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "They are typewritten," I remarked. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was said I. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." writing, and yet I know it well." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I the best of training." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and voice. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be your billet.' state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Precisely so. But how--" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed shall use the carriage to-night." "I will not look." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those hurried away. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she indiscretion." be best to do. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a one which it was hard to resist. your co-operation." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps front of me. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "No more words. Get out!" vanished into the darkness. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my business at Coburg Square is serious." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Nothing." any." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" four million human beings all jostling each other within the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "VIOLET HUNTER." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, good for you to do.' whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Yes, certainly." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat go back?" ways of our fellow-men." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he answered with a sidelong glance. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece despair." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "'Certainly,' I answered. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Not I." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." them, and came down just as you departed. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated future lives." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; to-night?" I asked. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a presented which may be striking and bizarre without being a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Married! When?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the with the outside air!" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Then I am your man." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the fear." Surrey." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Witness: Nothing definite. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush means taking possession of that which another person has a prior