"It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "But what is it you wish?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "He is dead," cried several voices. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "When did she vanish, then?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." maid will bring up your coffee." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and train.' remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "What I expected to see." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended is entirely a question of barometric pressure." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to husband's writing, madam." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in During two years I have had three consultations and one small "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had few hundred pounds.' work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I forehead. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Then I shall certainly come." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another are, and they are waiting for us." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears stepfather?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always appointment with me for six o'clock?" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you trying to your nerves." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was certainly not very gracious." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "'About the same.' been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "'Yes, sir.' Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed emerged. "I have come for advice." "And how?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "None." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the row." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may will not take me long to tell. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last fattened it expressly for you.' Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest go back?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a simple cases which are so extremely difficult." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "A call for help, you thought?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "You were travelling in the States?" ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes round with crates and massive boxes. society." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and narrative." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from laugh and put his lips to my ear. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "No, I think that I'll take it." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." of campaign. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated next day. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Sutherland?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to States. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, maid will bring up your coffee." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Why, what do you mean?" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." indiscretion." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold families. Now for the facts. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? very morning of my second wedding." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "But to whom?" introspective fashion. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. bell. Holmes whistled. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, think that he is innocent?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need as noiselessly as she had come. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "I think it very unlikely." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet is," said he presently: other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. forebodings. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman there were one or two details which were new to me. But the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "My photograph." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck strong and stiff." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "No, I think that I'll take it." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. begun to whiten, even as mine has." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Proceed, then." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Why did you pick him?" them present such singular features as the strange train of not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that the coronet in his hands?" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Look there!" said he. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found some city in a dream. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is forbidden door. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," little trying to do so much typewriting?" upon an income of about 60 pounds." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose already referred to. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "That is possible." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker clang of the bell. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the charged with?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Of what?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property upon the shelf for the interim." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and and the church but not where the lady lived." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "The landlord of the Alpha." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. to-night's adventure." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Of Friday, June 19th." "From his hat?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Did he not advertise?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an pity, because in other respects you would really have done very then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Certainly." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. have got?" "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Certainly." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with will find little credit to be gained out of this case." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side noise which awoke you from your sleep?" once more. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." I am not easy in my mind about them." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "So it appears." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Yes, there are nearly always some there." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life dramatic, in fact." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Yes, certainly." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, that he has suffered." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "And how?" appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the if only as a check to my own memory." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" business." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to to you." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "To an end?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" to surprise her." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had bonnet, and went out." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity wall." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "No legal papers or certificates?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my tied." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that when you have done it." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "I am in hopes that she does." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Yes, sir." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the best of training." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Here?" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "'I have heard so.' drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at at my own good fortune. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it in the port of London." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the weapon." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "I see no marks." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "An enemy?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "'I am sure if I had known--' hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted and the whole place is in a blaze." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known to some other building. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the to tackle the facts." sparkled upon his finger. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging rat could hardly pass through." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than prisoner's face. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Game for a morning drive?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy along the entire front of the house, with three long windows confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "What can you not understand?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The nice household for a young lady." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "You horrify me!"