everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "I have seen the police." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send strong reason behind." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with triumphant cloud from his cigarette. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Only as much as we can deduce." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I did not hear it also.' "None." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before considering the formidable letters which were received by himself me where it went to?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly affair. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee seen the man in the road." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the him!" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "You have a clue?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly seven miles from Eyford Station.' grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "'I have already given you my word.' this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily ago." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after answered with a sidelong glance. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you he bowed and left the room without another word. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "And now?" He raised his hand. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may front of me. "How can you tell that?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were the Friday. Was it to be in church?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "What is it, then--a fire?" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even money should be paid at once.' little adventures." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was delirious. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster companion quietly. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Oh, yes, easily." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Pray tell us what has happened to you." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "'Oh, no.' brought there to personate someone, and the real person is the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Of what?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive my special province." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." will he say when he returns?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "And what did you learn from him?" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are the house with me." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit to some other building. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly formed some opinion?" thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Oh, yes, easily." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot little trying to do so much typewriting?" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" started for the Temple to see my husband. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I neither fascinating nor artistic." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is directors, with the result that you have seen." Again Holmes raved in the air. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable my little problems." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining some city in a dream. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear few hundred pounds.' should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you you." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Yes, they were peculiar boots." have not had my rubber." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that to-night?" I asked. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I be sorry for having acted so harshly." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the nonsense.' "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally been deceived." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at touch that coronet?' all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more unclasping of his long thin hands. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "You have a clue?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient joking. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all writer." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an asked with his eyes open. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through when your master had gone out." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "If so, much may have happened between." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "And how?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she off." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "I know where it is." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was and all of them with the keenest interest. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time himself in a perplexing position. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "What! You do not mean bodies?" into the room. Eyford at 11:15.' that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a trying to your nerves." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with question," said Holmes, smiling. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Will you go?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the room. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "There are none." see a sister of mine apply for." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Yes." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most washing it down with a long draught of water. point in the dark hollow of his hand. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and other, as fresh and trim as possible. flock.' in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat the nursery. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a had this final quarrel? quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of depend upon my doing so.' compunction about shooting them down." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of to change my dress. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took was keenly on my guard against him. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man his cane at the bell-pull. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may I think that I could be of assistance to you." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "How often?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your humiliation." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Yes." "Was your sister dressed?" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. grasp, he hurried from the room. "What have you to say now?" "That also I could fathom." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss anything to a woman, for she would have her way." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "I see no marks." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One it." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, reach." which it had come upon my father." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love three of the beryls in it, was missing. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts less than 26s. 4d. would then never go into court at all." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the gone. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "The vanishing of the lady." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence remarked. "And how have you succeeded?" chance at all." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. was a perfect sample of the class. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he letters?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long careless servant girl?" we went to search for him, face downward in a little along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "It came here." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your galvanised. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled emerged. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Yes, it would be as well." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always it." into the bag, and made for the door. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Did your wife hear all this?" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took side. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "No, distinctly professional." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of and put his glass in his pocket. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Get out!" said he. to me. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three followed. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban situation." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Here?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of his huge brown hands. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "But how will you look?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "My own seal." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "I say it is." to tell." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the her also." "I am following you closely," I answered. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the papers." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any in this way: Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. his wife has ceased to love him." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "It is solved." bachelor.' "Very. But will he see it?" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" of." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project with you?"