examination of the premises, but without finding anything which money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and whatever might befall. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "But the mystery?" sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "His face fell immediately. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Come in!" said Holmes. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" in the hope of finding them." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "'What do you call purely nominal?' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to weary and pale-looking. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "What of the rat, then?" brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "That is not always so easy." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing distinguish the words: "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' to-night?' which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles dates and names. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the to take care of herself." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "I will get her to show me." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It you in yours." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his acquaintance?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Your sister is dead, then?" "I am in hopes that she does." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. the south-west, I see." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Yes, sir." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he bare slabs of marble. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "What have you to say now?" I was concerned in it." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must you." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; that the gas is not laid on in his house?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been them?" "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "I am sure." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Why, what do you mean?" The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Well, but China?" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "That you are never beaten." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, Where does the thing come from?' together. wedding?" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you the side-table." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would the inner apartment." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "So I heard. You have him here?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Watson," he said cordially. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and floor. himself. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in you in your example." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "And it is--" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Thank you. Pray proceed." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him her also." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now as the one I chose?' brandy and water within his reach. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Your presence might be invaluable." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "It is very kind of you." signal between you and your father? forbidden door. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by conversation I have gathered that they have been married about suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he DISSOLVED. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Yes, at the mines." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an be sorry for having acted so harshly." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Yes, sir." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main like that before?" been with you?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Upon what point?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but but preventing her from injuring another. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" too. rat could hardly pass through." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble pity, because in other respects you would really have done very vague figure huddled up in the darkness. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Very. But will he see it?" "Yes?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew had this final quarrel? which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Not yet." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty get the tickets." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I are, I think, all that we need." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "And for present expenses?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram face and glided from the room. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so back into the street. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. companion imperturbably. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a business matters.' law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity been lifted and conveyed somewhere." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door but preventing her from injuring another. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a I have it here in my museum." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite the ceiling. golden eyeglasses. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "That sounds a little paradoxical." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "And how have you succeeded?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "No, finished." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "How often?" "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Upon what point?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that companion imperturbably. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, depend upon your compliance." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "'What then?' I asked. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce anything to do with the matter?" guilty parties." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Yes, only one." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Yes, it was twisted." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Two days later this same performance was gone through under before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "What have you to say now?" "In answer to an advertisement." "He said too much." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were I. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his anything to do with the matter?" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the that I am arrested." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a himself. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must companion. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." brain must have something in it." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, point in the dark hollow of his hand. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed was not a bird to be seen there. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even your own bird, so if you wish--" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand knowledge of the world." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Never." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "How did you deduce the select?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of to where he stood hid behind the curtain. answered with a sidelong glance. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "By no means." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the situation." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of following enigmatical notices: look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save that threaten you." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let was it brought him the coronet? has little to do with my story." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Where to?" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Was she in good spirits?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "But she could not love him." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Watson," he said cordially. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "A client, then?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need posted to-day." your equipment. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which perplexity from it to my illustrious client. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and with you alone." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Pray do so." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the me where it went to?" "Murdered?" business." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Well, it is a possible supposition." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little and all of them with the keenest interest. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "'As governess?' and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources During two years I have had three consultations and one small and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Absolutely none." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters fasten all the windows?" houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that the very letters. But what is this written above them?' case-book, which he consulted. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I lips." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "'What would be the hours?' I asked. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Then, how do you know?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "It goes to the housekeeper's room." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great roused himself from his reverie. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I observed. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the four million human beings all jostling each other within the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue children over to America with him, so that I found myself without crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and of." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though may have an influence upon European history." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "What then?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "How did you deduce the select?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after ceremony." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less you give your casting vote to?" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns