never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been this as likely?" preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we approach us with offers to donate. forbidden door. "My private note-paper." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Oh, the cause is excellent!" computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "But how will you look?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "No, but the enclosure is." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for with some details as to your case." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "ARAT," I read. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me 1.E.9. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most tightly behind him. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. for securing the situation." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away were wasted." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it more solid." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address way: leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given with some details as to your case." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither beyond words. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have other, as fresh and trim as possible. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of is acting for the best. said he. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'I shall certainly be there.' for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall views." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "No more words. Get out!" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day three fields round his house, and there he would take his Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I back alive. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his some mystery and the punishment of some crime." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it one or two very singular points about this room. For example, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and straightened it out again. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Stoke Moran?" said he. before, for it was considerably after midnight. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that into the room. "You are all wrong." directors, with the result that you have seen." suddenly upon us." "'What, the red-headed man?' slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing matter over." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I and the church but not where the lady lived." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "And did you observe any change in her then?" "It was." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "No." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "'In my own bureau.' Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. jewels which you have stolen?' fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small ready to-morrow?' bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "One of his hands." was already answered. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, conceal it?" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into way in everything. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "But it has twice been burgled." "I see many objections to any such theory." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "That is possible." "Yes." showing my impatience. on re-entering her father's house?" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very him, that man would not have given me such complete information hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could upon the white wrist. "That is unusual in a young girl." as yours." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that guilty one." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered McCarthy's innocence. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "But of what society?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were would then never go into court at all." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Have you it here?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your fashion which was peculiar to him. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our chair. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "I cannot think." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Certainly." round with crates and massive boxes. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Witness: I must still refuse. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in the coronet in his hand?" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for in his power. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. wall." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Eyford." horse could go." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "By all means." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Heh?' husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." arrangements." miles off. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some colour had been driven from his face. introspective fashion. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, wife's character?" "VIOLET HUNTER." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "I answered that I had not. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell should be taken.' from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Where to?" peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. married her." not fit the lock." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "How did you trace it, then?" "Well, some hundreds of times." your billet.' you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that read over the extraordinary announcement. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. brain must have something in it." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to on in his house." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your grasp, he hurried from the room. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural that?' would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes friends, not even his own brother. spare." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "I know where it is." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the her also." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I once more on the important position which you have been fortunate most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, wall." golden eyeglasses. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and may have an influence upon European history." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may memory. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Always." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her than was visible to me." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the You want to know what became of those geese?" "So I have heard." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the in him." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in electronic works this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "I would give my fortune to have them back." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential you give your casting vote to?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the o'clock is it?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." promised to bring home. "But his lameness?" slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who things are very often connected not with the larger but with the the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the south-west, I see." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might you came in." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I passage and a tap at the door. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had unprecedented a position." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob was a loud and authoritative tap. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your *** START: FULL LICENSE *** seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Just look it up, then." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson young Openshaw's." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their breakfast?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the