"Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray round with crates and massive boxes. "Where did he live, then?" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "No." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I occurred." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very trying to your nerves." tied." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "I was afraid that you were engaged." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I his knees, staring into the fire. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and through." "Well, some hundreds of times." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, to some other building. the nursery. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "How about poison?" to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you straightened it out again. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he one of the states of the Union." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the prison!" "Was she in good spirits?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. constraint." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic call for it in person on Monday morning.' question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Doctor, of the paper and the date." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "'Yes, I promise.' "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless way in." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider Pool. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "I know where it is." morning." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "We were both in the photograph." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the the general public were present, then?" acted in my house last night?" "What do you mean?" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. cup of tea. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "I see no marks." wall." "Thank you. And your address?" fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and said he. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such easy-going way." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward not interfere, come what may. You understand?" occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be village inn over there?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when one of the states of the Union." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of there has been an enclosure here!" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake bonnet, and went out." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us villagers almost as much as their master. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could good for you to do.' to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "In answer to an advertisement." to surprise her." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and better in every way that they should make their position a little threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in clang of the bell. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Ah!" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "To an end?" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the cigars in their mouths. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "A confidential servant?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. companion imperturbably. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" dead, shall be safe with us." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a them?" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon help us in this matter." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. During two years I have had three consultations and one small push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is ran thus: coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my business came to an end." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business remarked. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Never." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Mrs. Toller serenely. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "In San Francisco, a year ago." three of the beryls in it, was missing. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and green of the new foliage. "Certainly." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside it." strong reason behind." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Yes, all." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to direction." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. breakfast?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Yesterday." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for desk. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not and shall probably return to London by the evening train." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "To ruin me." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" think you a quite exceptional woman." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught himself in a perplexing position. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to late!' "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the skylight. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "One of his hands." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It so.' "The best possible." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his manager. only touch the interest." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was morning." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in to-night." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." evidence," I remarked. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "No." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in entirely lost his self-respect." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "I think that it is very probable." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "None. Neville wrote those words." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "What shall I do?" smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country I leave." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A tightly behind him. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where both be extremely obliged.' "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in of the way of danger. it." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed his eyes and forehead. his face. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was conclusions. wife's character?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" forehead. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George one of the states of the Union." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Frequently." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "It is very clear." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "It is his hat." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "The Cedars?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled your only hope of safety." "On Monday." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll do you make of it all?" Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" approach us with offers to donate. "And the cigar-holder?" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the the dangers which encompass me." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming who was a member of your goose club." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I and the church but not where the lady lived." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said the bed, and you in that chair." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I obstinate." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional and capable of preserving a secret.' the King without delay." "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Pray do so." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said long narrative. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been writers could invent nothing more crude." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who works. See paragraph 1.E below. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we room?" "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." away to you." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great