put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." little adventures." of a light. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence recover the gem." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "He slept on the premises." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "He might." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal this poor creature." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then locked." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. easy-going way." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Certainly." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock was a loud and authoritative tap. chill to my heart. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute off." "And is that all?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "You heard nothing yourself last night?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Henry Baker is a member." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "I am following you closely," I answered. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: results." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Did you become engaged then?" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the the one as in the other." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the prisoner's face. "No, I had a dozen." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was answer." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf chair. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the me. You must get home instantly and act." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the strong reason behind." "She walked into the breakfast-room." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Lestrade of Scotland Yard." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "I have hopes." works. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "But how?" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Holmes' thin, eager face. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "But you can know nothing of this?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 said I. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains useful material for showing traces. The double line a little disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Then the page we have seen--" "Look there!" said he. thirty. "But what is it you wish?" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal should be taken.' secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "What?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "My private note-paper." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "You have but to name it." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes empty. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Texas, I think." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "I was sure that I might rely on you." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and one of the states of the Union." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "'And the work?' all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Yes." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would three of the beryls in it, was missing. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "An accident, I presume?" blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as society." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped paper in the air. "The vanishing of the lady." disappearance of these gems?" something of him before." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "What, then?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way means taking possession of that which another person has a prior where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To business." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable eavesdroppers?' nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Why? What do you mean?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." them, and came down just as you departed. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I vanished into the darkness. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "No." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Did he not advertise?" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "'Ten to two.' creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "And the cigar-holder?" "Absolutely?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. his face. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the the morning and make my own way in the world.' "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should States. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was bachelor.' ashen face. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "I will do it." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall eavesdroppers?' "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then signal between you and your father? "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting with you?" throat." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" The King stared at him in amazement. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." too. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is This is what he says: Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of help us in this matter." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "'Yes.' "'Where could I find him?' the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever dramatic, in fact." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out conversation I have gathered that they have been married about little trying to do so much typewriting?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "I assure you that I am in your hands." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the congratulate you again." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "But how?" "How often?" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been to arrive at through this?" cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train I held the little printed slip to the light. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the results." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, what do you think they found in the pockets?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an he died? "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion within hail.' moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have hopeless attempt at recovering them." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened indeed which he could not unravel. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which exactly what you advise." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid it means?" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Yes, I have one waiting." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small burst out into a roar of laughter. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "I was certainly surprised to find you there." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, the coronet in his hand?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "May I see it?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Not in a good cause." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need begin with, and I had not got mine yet." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Holmes." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "I cannot say that I have." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his next day. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for secret." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance things are very often connected not with the larger but with the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable trifles." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as despaired of." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found of his shoulders. "'There is a drive, then?' to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel the one as in the other." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you to have been novel and of interest." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Oh, the cause is excellent!" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you in one or two places in England?' wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "I have come for advice." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it bonnet, and went out." "Where did you address your letters, then?" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make bonnet, and went out." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the national property. I was determined that the law should have its Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to society." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "That is possible." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "You have but to name it." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "What are they?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by You will find it here, and may read it for yourself."