"'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that any." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Then, how do you know?" everything which you would wish to know." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, imbecility!" he cried. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and was a loud and authoritative tap. "It looks newer than the other things?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view of his shoulders. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "And the murderer?" it with his own hands." meant." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, affection." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of presume?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "'Certainly,' I answered. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were this man was intellectual?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither had this final quarrel? This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "'About the same.' freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "'Where could I find him?' the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really yourselves in at night?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed was a loud and authoritative tap. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free my room." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Where did he live, then?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, tear off another piece?' "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "What I expected to see." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a British peeress.'" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "I am following you closely," I answered. not as remarkable as your advertisement." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "If so, much may have happened between." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, relief. to me. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Oh, the cause is excellent!" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions business came to an end." directly by questioning you." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to towards the blaze. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Then, how do you know?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "May I see it?" long narrative. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back You want to know what became of those geese?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I conclusions. "I am about to be married." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your standing smiling on the door-step. chill to my heart. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Will you go?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it returned to France?" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that and your relations to her." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Not in the least." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the awkward doing business with an alias." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that crackling voice. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Then you may entirely rely on me." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "I do." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Well?" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." definite end. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you fashion which was peculiar to him. way in everything. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. was lame." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "What steps will you take?" I asked. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the is four-and-twenty." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." following enigmatical notices: cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we unclasping of his long thin hands. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend letters?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "And what did you learn from him?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek had this final quarrel? or in danger--" away into the river." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I tension within him. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Certainly." pierced for earrings?" a room. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "'Is purely nominal.' to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be a good hundred miles off by now." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "How often?" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from suspect him." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "That is it on the dressing-table." plantation.' my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Dr. Gregory B. Newby first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "But she will refuse." imbecility!" he cried. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and charged with?" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest husband's writing, madam." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, that, and I came down." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "What are they?" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "He disappeared so suddenly." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to to have that photograph." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. whole matter to your consideration." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Oh, fresh and glossy." this poor creature." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now there has been an enclosure here!" "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by way in everything. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, gone before you can get him to hospital." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "When did she vanish, then?" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to as he remarks, very much against the son." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "I see many objections to any such theory." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. would then never go into court at all." better grown goose." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. what these perils are?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" vanished into the darkness. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Miss Holder?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that client, rising. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I salesman. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "I beg pardon." future lives." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding him and tried to hold him back. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too said he. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by direction." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search fact, we may call it conclusive." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and I shall continue with my miserable story. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are know all about it," he snarled. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and considering the formidable letters which were received by himself note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon companion. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to ventilator." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the notes," he said. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in these bleak autumnal evenings." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Oh, the cause is excellent!" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is correct than the official force." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Not social, then?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to six. Come in!" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. 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 furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger outbreak?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "What! You do not mean bodies?" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the general public were present, then?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no most important business. It is probable that he will be away all moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an made him keep the appointment." works. See paragraph 1.E below. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "'Then let me do so?' the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "'Yes, I promise.' found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Has he come with you to-night?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. his face which made him a very different person to the round, "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east fuss that is made over them." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "No." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." of the one which your family is now devouring." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had friends, not even his own brother. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter and inquire as to the address." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed Leave Paddington by the 11:15." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip and your relations to her." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do when your master had gone out." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb already referred to. place no limit on the sum I may draw." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Not particularly." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it.