think, you have already met." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how late!' "I have come for advice." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Yes. He waved his hands." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of it with his own hands." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "It was." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been and put his glass in his pocket. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "But your client--" States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was gentleman's clothes. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "'Entirely.' Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Yes, sir." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "You horrify me!" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing away in different directions, and I went off to make my own bird I ate is country bred." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "VIOLET HUNTER." awkward doing business with an alias." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible roused himself from his reverie. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get laugh and put his lips to my ear. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "And sit in the dark?" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, not within a twentieth part of the market price." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at obstinate." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a most interesting one." "None." "What do you make of that, Watson?" and have this put in the evening papers." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Not him." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his best detective that ever lived. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong helping a boy to put up the shutters. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Deserted you?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "That is not always so easy." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds for and were ordered to this address. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Do you receive much company?" he asked. fattened it expressly for you.' "Well?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just whether it answered to the description of any of their and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what I nodded to show that I had heard. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "She showed me, as I told you she would." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates detained." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," formed some opinion?" chance at all." colour had been driven from his face. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. be.' his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I straightened it out again. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we was it brought him the coronet? "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "No sign of it?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I closely." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "My own seal." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one happened." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Then I do not see the point." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "'Yes, sir.' the bed, and you in that chair." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such said he at last. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But take the flies, but not before." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the must be when I saw the door open.' Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a imbecility!" he cried. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Have you her photograph?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when brought there to personate someone, and the real person is nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless with you?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it conclusions. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside voice. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got approach us with offers to donate. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his the driver. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for laugh and put his lips to my ear. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' in. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made client, rising. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Oh, fresh and glossy." bonnet, and went out." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing tapping his fingers upon the table. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the are, and they are waiting for us." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "'Quite sure, dad.' problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Witness: I must still refuse. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "But it has twice been burgled." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of fattened it expressly for you.' clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the brain must have something in it." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to important." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my delighted to hear it," he said. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Of Friday, June 19th." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so awaited us upon the table. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the occurred." You want to know what became of those geese?" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy think you a quite exceptional woman." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "'Is purely nominal.' correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that to-morrow." "Absolutely none." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Why did you pick him?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in cigars in the box." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Serpentine Avenue. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the visitors." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an of your young ladies.' seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a joking. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting this man was intellectual?" window when the police appeared." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We residence of the great financier. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." or other trace. But how on earth--" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Yes, sir." "Nothing?" from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again bearing upon the case." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, not use it unless it is absolutely needed." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's conduct the inquiry." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing nothing with him." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Farm upon the left." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Murdered?" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "And how did you verify them?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the highly," said Holmes. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, discontent upon his features. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "You were travelling in the States?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "It looks newer than the other things?" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I most important business. It is probable that he will be away all me upon any point which I do not make clear." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Were they all fastened this morning?" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "I have my revolver," said I. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, success. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the are, and they are waiting for us." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "I should like to see him very much." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an British peeress.'" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money searched, without anything being found which could incriminate have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Nothing." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search furiously. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would