to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging Eyford at 11:15.' presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Only as much as we can deduce." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the in him." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect room?" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the be. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her which we had just quitted. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, becomes even more simple." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so breakfast." him to go away.' then?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "The doctor?" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any writer." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed It was close upon four before the door opened, and a of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Absolutely none." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Do you know him?" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who really the only notable feature about the thing." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." that you wished to speak to me?' "It is very kind of you." gone before you can get him to hospital." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "What! Had he lost his wife?" will he say when he returns?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" towards the blaze. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the mysterious end." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other to have that photograph." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the pressing in one house as in another. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her carried out of court." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "No?" ventilator." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to that before taking the final step I should like to submit the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Nearly eleven." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Lee, in the county of Kent." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, of campaign. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered pierced for earrings?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Clair, of Lee." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg I have it here in my museum." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "In answer to an advertisement." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "But not more so than I to find you." lamp. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence second window is the one that I jumped from." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at locked. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the will not take me long to tell. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The affection." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was events, Mr. Windibank!" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Why, what do you mean?" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS John Swain, of St. Augustine. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in locked. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. to miss it." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Was he the only applicant?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to see a sister of mine apply for." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version from the brougham. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of villagers almost as much as their master. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "What can it mean?" I gasped. works. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "And how have you succeeded?" on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a hereditary King of Bohemia." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the leaning back in his chair. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Her father is very rich?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in your Highness to the police-station?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "By train from Waterloo." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, fuss that is made over them." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Dirty?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor before the coroner and the police-court." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the happened." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "I will try. What is it?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father page at http://pglaf.org foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his as he folded up the epistle. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a the coronet in his hands?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Miss Holder?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the did not hear it also.' Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under a monotonous occupation." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "You horrify me!" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the of them has the shutters up.' "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Yes." go--none." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, least a fellow-countryman. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I you." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "I was sure that I might rely on you." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Married! When?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." tied." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, we went to search for him, face downward in a little down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and fluttered off among the others. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." leaning back in his chair. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the washing it down with a long draught of water. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "In which, sir?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought go back?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand weary and pale-looking. I was concerned in it." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were acted in my house last night?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Come in!" said he. meant it for the best. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of ways of our fellow-men." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "I was certainly surprised to find you there." tied." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on client, rising. "Perfectly so." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming and have this put in the evening papers." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of will find little credit to be gained out of this case." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Not social, then?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled as the one I chose?' "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the in a friendly supper." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his gbnewby@pglaf.org had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a records." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be and inquire as to the address." "Has he come with you to-night?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying chamber." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. indeed which he could not unravel. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "'Most admirably.' It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards cigars in the box." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is that you saw all that I did." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow little trying to do so much typewriting?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Did your wife hear all this?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "My Mary? Impossible!" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. second." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted his huge brown hands. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place ventilator." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five you." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. that clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "She told me to ask you." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, enter Dr. Roylott's room." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' lids now and glanced across at his visitor. good-night and bustled off upon her way. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which here." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "But of what society?" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to entirely lost his self-respect." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I she might be summoned. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we matter." "Here?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Yes, he did." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, or other trace. But how on earth--" habit of advancing money.' "But to whom?" happened." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "But I have heard all that you have heard." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my John Swain, of St. Augustine. character. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion waste of energy." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though was already answered. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of is now desirous of getting those letters back." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, I held the little printed slip to the light.