came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these address. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked shadow pass over his face as I spoke. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman was keenly on my guard against him. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Holmes." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary clang of the bell. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. out of this horrible affair." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "By no means." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend off." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, writer." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." throat." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've read over the extraordinary announcement. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my matters immensely." "'And what salary do you ask?' afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no hour?' enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "No." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Street. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I matter over." "And now?" He raised his hand. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they with some details as to your case." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "And who is her maid?" disappearance of these gems?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "'No, I know no one in these parts.' 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting possible that we could bring him back to her? taking in every detail of the apartment. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, experiences." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you despair." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made some terrible trap for her." recover the gem." in him." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I that, and I came down." "Just look it up, then." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man must be when I saw the door open.' companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should yards of it?' fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "And how did you verify them?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Yes?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you best detective that ever lived. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "You are all wrong." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "It is possible." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." next day. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. locked. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get walking." 1.F. "I came to find a friend." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. is a common subject for conversation. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his foresight and the moral retrogression?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that rat could hardly pass through." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which vague figure huddled up in the darkness. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and wedding?" "I have hopes." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Young McCarthy must be got off, however." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as a room. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Never." some city in a dream. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal the inner apartment." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote them present such singular features as the strange train of fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "I will, Miss Turner." "'Yes, sir.' it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "In answer to an advertisement." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of case before our client came into the room." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced said he at last. "Come in!" said he. "It must be recovered." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "To an end?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon that threaten you." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Not particularly." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" experiences." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he matters immensely." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating shag which I had seen upon the previous night. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Perfectly so." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of I nodded again. During two years I have had three consultations and one small kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You maid will bring up your coffee." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then look upon these things in a different way." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with ways of our fellow-men." "That is unusual in a young girl." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Yes." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and him to go away.' understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Perfectly so." him!" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The here and I will read it to you: same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to him, that man would not have given me such complete information He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Really! You surprise me." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. as yours." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there London for the present?" feature." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the running down." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a had formerly been in part my own. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that me. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like eavesdroppers?' cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which to miss it." "Yes, all." when you have done it." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, floor. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the soul! here is her carriage at the door." sooner or later she must fall a victim. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the shall use the carriage to-night." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "'Never.' "'What are you doing there?' he asked. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "My dear Holmes!" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no there was no need for father to know." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with and shall probably return to London by the evening train." indeed happy." until night should bring an explanation. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this spare." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow the one as in the other." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their of the vacancies.' "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line of his shoulders. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "No, I had a dozen." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of experiences." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. article?" "'Yes.' right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "It is a murder, then?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Very much so." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's the little opening for the ventilator is." the King without delay." "It is possible." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. lamp. noble correspondent could be. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of one's self under obligations.' usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant and prosperity to your house. Good-night." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in walking." important." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "About a month then." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I might help us?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, believe that I should never have any practice at all. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a just called myself is not exactly my own." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In appeal." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Yes, certainly." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you had a long day." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Yes, but only for you and me." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "And did you observe any change in her then?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "'Certainly not. But why?' from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was companion imperturbably. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life door?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: highroad, where all traces were lost. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside happened." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This we went to search for him, face downward in a little call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "And the cigar-holder?" "How often?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in may never be exposed to such a temptation." with you?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer main points of my analysis." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Where to?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "In answer to an advertisement."