approach us with offers to donate. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "That's no good." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this Countess of Morcar's?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Has he come with you to-night?" "Well, it is a possible supposition." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "I have seen the police." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there fact, we may call it conclusive." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. suspect him." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square that there was nothing in it, after all." "I will, Miss Turner." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "At what time?" "Pray do so." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some his knees, staring into the fire. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when that he will be back before evening." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." are, I think, all that we need." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "You think so, too?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "What have you done?" asked Holmes. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My gentleman's clothes. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Nothing." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I he died? The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, out." lectures into a series of tales." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "My own seal." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Then he might have called to you?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "'Ample.' you do it in twenty minutes!' Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." it." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with following enigmatical notices: "The landlord of the Alpha." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and the morning and make my own way in the world.' written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the south-west, I see." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "It is possible." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, at a side door. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I For additional contact information: "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, there in twenty minutes." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard woman." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far and no precautions can guard against." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess sentimental considerations in the background which would induce one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy fuss that is made over them." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to galvanised. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "'No, I know no one in these parts.' nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and throat." the warnings." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, prisoner's face. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been place of silver." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to that, and I came down." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, laugh and put his lips to my ear. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." 1.E.9. "Entirely." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" thirty. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "I would give my fortune to have them back." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "You are hungry," I remarked. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man have established a very serious case against the son of the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if back to my heart. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow emerged. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it tell him that I know him to be innocent." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "I don't believe it." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal correct than the official force." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Why did you pick him?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" is worth.' "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Was he the only applicant?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, during that time.' refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES which are rolled in Rotterdam." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the point in the dark hollow of his hand. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the weapon." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: burst out into a roar of laughter. "It surprised me." trying to your nerves." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling suggested at once that there must be a communication between the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A and no precautions can guard against." "I promise," said Holmes. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "'You doubt its value?' he asked. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." brandy and water within his reach. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the dates and names. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold noting anything else of interest. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. and a shock of very red hair. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The fled together." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would DISSOLVED. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Bought." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I when your master had gone out." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not guilty parties." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in than was visible to me." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Yes, from Horsham." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Very much so." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I should be taken.' and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man which our visitor detailed to us. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring the stable lane now." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when you." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Do you know him?" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "But of what society?" "It certainly sounds feasible." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." which our visitor detailed to us. had died away into the silence from which it rose. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their security.' did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a His name is Francis Prosper." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from not as remarkable as your advertisement." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Yes." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "'Never.' Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "May I see it?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." quickly through a disagreeable task. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "It must be recovered." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by very old mansion. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Come in!" said Holmes. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Nearly eleven." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "What! a murderous attack?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as companion. "From his hat?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "And that is--" I approached. "He might." Have you good authority for what you say?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than hour." one of the states of the Union." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his is so. I know all about McCarthy." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which father's young wife. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who you for a few hours?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may security.' room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon some place of shelter and let the county police know what has forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "To an English lawyer named Norton." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in despair." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and you." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical be best to do. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "'Yes.' answered with a sidelong glance. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be and the whole place is in a blaze." arrested. You then--" any." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. I nodded again. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." lamp in his hand. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master death." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." opened the door, and slipped through. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Yes, that is the Crown." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Yes." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it II. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me over here." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour minor matters until to-morrow." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "And how in the world did you find them?" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, enter Dr. Roylott's room." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or all-comprehensive glances. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Was she in good spirits?" question. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "I am armed." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a to arrive at through this?" "Was your sister dressed?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "You are hungry," I remarked. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "By train from Waterloo." best detective that ever lived. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with