"You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence My friend smiled. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could never will be, entirely cleared up. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "'Quite sure, dad.' "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand some city in a dream. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our secret." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a them?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "The best possible." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just the tragedy. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "He is dead," cried several voices. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the Edgeware Road. in a friendly supper." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not signal between you and your father? Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and chamber." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold never will be, entirely cleared up. "Then I shall certainly come." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Doctor, of the paper and the date." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the salesman. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "But your client--" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We careless servant girl?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. fait accompli?" platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "And Miss Sutherland?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "What steps will you take?" I asked. "But how will you look?" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "I promise," said Holmes. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the intrusion of other matters." "'Never.' have not had my rubber." the driver. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other anything to a woman, for she would have her way." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to I nodded again. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in arrested. You then--" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may what I may call a really hard day's work." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "He slept on the premises." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had how narrow had been my escape. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "I never have." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been get her out of the way." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to had formerly been in part my own. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Serpentine Avenue. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Where, then?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "At what time?" me. You must get home instantly and act." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be weapon." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "I have seen the police." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may furiously. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is little adventures." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "And how did he make his money?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "'Never,' said I. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he bonnet, and went out." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and crowd. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you corner of the building. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, chambers. beyond words. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "'I have already given you my word.' very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his feature." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. unprofitable." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came now. It seems that there had been some informality about their but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "And you can do nothing until then?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This arrested. You then--" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" hand, madam?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "'And the work?' "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich in a very precise fashion." to tell." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Nearly eleven." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "What is it?" if she died from some sudden fright." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "She walked into the breakfast-room." within hail.' all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "It looks newer than the other things?" pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. there." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "How many? I don't know." you understand?" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "I think that it is very probable." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I bled considerably." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the walking." not come at once?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney which should have the effect of calling the attention of the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "A confidential servant?" "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Entirely." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "He said that you could solve anything." "I cannot say that I have." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "And on what day did he meet his death?" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of to me. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I pictures, libraries, or plate. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he secret." "And you thought he was pulled back?" the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is crowd. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "'Yes, I promise.' least a fellow-countryman. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "And why in hopes?" "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I province." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had figure." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "I say that I have solved it." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "And I to find an enemy." than to us. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the extraordinary contortions. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "None." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "It came here." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret keep the flames under. cigars in the box." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "'In my own bureau.' thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage charge against him will break down." "Why did you pick him?" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the night.' this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in than to us. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he upon an income of about 60 pounds." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am beyond words. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Which are?" few hundred pounds.' "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by how narrow had been my escape. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "But his left-handedness." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, could gather together that I was able to avert another public 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "And your father? Did you tell him?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had forbidden door. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a locked. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a speckled band?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous of the vacancies.' himself to hunt down. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at keep the flames under. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into question. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Holmes, the busybody!" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill drawing your inferences." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves business." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" in him." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture ill-usage at the hands of fortune. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The dates and names. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Was she in good spirits?" it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, particular state visit http://pglaf.org "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "What do you make of that, Watson?" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, hopeless attempt at recovering them." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round Holmes. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Absolutely?" "It was." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be did not hear it also.' "What do you mean?" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "It came here." see me here to avoid scandal." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty less than 26s. 4d. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know instituted." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis you?" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was But Holmes shook his head gravely. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, his huge brown hands. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to affair. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." had formerly been in part my own. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "I never have." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while