"Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "You have carte blanche." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Yes, it was twisted." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered ways of our fellow-men." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project of Fenchurch Street." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "'Stolen!' he cried. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "I cannot imagine." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better in his hands." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in instituted." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious along the entire front of the house, with three long windows were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "'I am sure if I had known--' his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the posted to-day." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "What is it?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Yes." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with I am not easy in my mind about them." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and from you?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, questionable one." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in laugh and put his lips to my ear. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew other, as fresh and trim as possible. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that were new raised from a basin. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "What is it?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "And how did he make his money?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "I am following you closely," I answered. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of bill, which interests me deeply." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary my little problems." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "You have but to name it." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a carried out of court." meant it for the best. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a to-night?' breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Yes." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser get her out of the way." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "That is not always so easy." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my showing my impatience. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of the house with me." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his me. You must get home instantly and act." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "VIOLET HUNTER." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE this Miss Turner." "Has he come with you to-night?" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' it." late!' outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your I held the little printed slip to the light. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said gone. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment mysterious business." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "And what then?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my flock.' police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my bearing upon the case." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Then I can wait in the next room." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, towards the blaze. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and persecution?" "Did your wife hear all this?" correct than the official force." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than DAMAGE. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for his forehead." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "I think that I had better go, Holmes." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being fat-encircled eyes. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my looking up at the numbers of the houses." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "My own seal." opened the door, and slipped through. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "But what harm can there be in that?" stammered. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to least a most suspicious remark." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to of a light. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." matter." be. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." never will be, entirely cleared up. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are awkward doing business with an alias." Farm upon the left." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Ah!" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting already referred to. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the My friend smiled. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding read over the extraordinary announcement. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; and have this put in the evening papers." I have it here in my museum." of." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Of what?" late." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Does that suggest anything?" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." only touch the interest." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything hurried away. the loss of it. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other have one." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "But who is he?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some coroner's jury." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" think that he is innocent?" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "I am all attention, madam." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "'Yes, I promise.' with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his I nodded to show that I had heard. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Have you her photograph?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is the south-west, I see." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with with you alone." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it McCarthy's innocence. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little outside. "'Certainly not. But why?' showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the the stable lane now." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Then what has happened to him?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I will try. What is it?" not personally threatened." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't once more. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend During two years I have had three consultations and one small own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And enter Dr. Roylott's room." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope off." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to way in everything. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "I am about to be married." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and reach." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently McCarthy's innocence. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face his face which made him a very different person to the round, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of them?" Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Who by?" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium instituted." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "What do you make of that, Watson?" populous neighbourhood." the driver. your billet.' Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the habit of advancing money.' down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "So I am. Very much so." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut residence of the great financier. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to the address that was given us in the advertisement. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little one's self under obligations.' down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother later, upon the night of May 2nd." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which light and attacked it." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his here and I will read it to you: considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some ashen face. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself some terrible trap for her." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the not fit the lock." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Upon what point?" voice, changing her seat as requested. "Could he throw no light?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to in darkness. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his shall not find me ungrateful." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "So I am. Very much so." "He is still with you, I presume?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Well." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in