She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "To an end?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. is worth.' "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "But she will refuse." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." a little more before I quite committed myself. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have even of instruction." went to the Alpha were town bred." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Holmes." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a girl said." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "I will try. What is it?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was front of the hall door has given its name to the place. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What not within a twentieth part of the market price." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning the dangers which encompass me." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. and effective." "Absolutely?" "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and sit on the left-hand side of the driver." so.' particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a to-night's adventure." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, dear old homesteads?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and been lifted and conveyed somewhere." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a clang of the bell. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, thirty. and have this put in the evening papers." during that time.' than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. The King stared at him in amazement. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and of the way of danger. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Whose house is it?" business." "That also I could fathom." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "None." "What I expected to see." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. awkward doing business with an alias." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Street. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Always." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that even of instruction." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" careless servant girl?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich memory. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her the coroner come to?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a your sleep?' when you have done it." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and spare." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and one of the states of the Union." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out have I gained?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to business." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "In San Francisco, a year ago." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over directors, with the result that you have seen." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See unprecedented a position." with frightened eyes at his accuser. "It is half-past ten now." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "It surprised me." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "It surprised me." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had matters immensely." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found papers." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his I shall communicate with you." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers there in twenty minutes." but preventing her from injuring another. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the here and I will read it to you: "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. ready to-morrow?' business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of my little problems." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor followed. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Then what has happened to him?" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted matter over." never will be, entirely cleared up. know what is wrong with it.' followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the is four-and-twenty." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. affair. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, your equipment. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a thirty. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock questionable one." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly for the market.' from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great all?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a you in your example." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said miles off. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I hurried away. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is was keenly on my guard against him. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "On Monday." States. "Yes." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "'You cannot say what it was?' few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from notes," he said. better in every way that they should make their position a little Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the through." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every voice. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "I have seen the police." "I cannot imagine." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Ha! you find it so?" some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "My private note-paper." "I am armed." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to I have it here in my museum." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, my former friend and companion. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "From his hat?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken is so. I know all about McCarthy." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "I think it very unlikely." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried is worth.' rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "'Then let me do so?' We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. with some details as to your case." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "It certainly sounds feasible." "Here?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "I was certainly surprised to find you there." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "'I shall certainly be there.' found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from thin legs towards the fire. possible that we could bring him back to her? years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "'Where could I find him?' "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But too. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my indiscretion." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of shall use the carriage to-night." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must thought that she would have been so carried away." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "'I have heard so.' an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events fish-monger and a tide-waiter." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called is now desirous of getting those letters back." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see not fit the lock." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, could gather together that I was able to avert another public to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was goes." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," man. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian arrangements." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of clanging. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing lost nothing by them." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. easy-going way." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better which it had come upon my father." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Can I be of assistance?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, in his hands." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "I will try. What is it?" a very grave face. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that his knees, staring into the fire. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my salesman. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would nonsense.' office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and the house with me." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." companion quietly. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an unprofitable." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the secret." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in to-night?" I asked. "Of what?" "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a one of them." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to was a loud and authoritative tap. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "In San Francisco, a year ago." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without noting anything else of interest. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it have one." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I the child." cigars in the box." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that there." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his