"Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Then, how do you know?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the Chief Executive and Director the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many wife's character?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains then?" "'How far from the body?' Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "I think it very unlikely." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "I see many objections to any such theory." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Yes." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "'There is a drive, then?' "'It is locked up,' I answered. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Yes, certainly." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by peculiar to him. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "I know where it is." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way nice household for a young lady." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "He said that you could solve anything." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at beyond words. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no went to the Alpha were town bred." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Farm upon the left." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me in one or two places in England?' the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the me. You must get home instantly and act." gbnewby@pglaf.org endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, secret." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Then the page we have seen--" "She will not sell." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are details should find their way into the papers. Inspector characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set get her out of the way." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "And help." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very in one or two places in England?' that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and there in twenty minutes." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "No, I had a dozen." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Which surely he restored to their owner?" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I events than those which have happened in my own family." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than roused himself from his reverie. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I sufficient punishment." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, such person." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. appointment with me for six o'clock?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too with the outside air!" "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came maid will bring up your coffee." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Awake, Watson?" he asked. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies our word." "Which are?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Yesterday." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever you came in." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "And what then?" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first with her." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in to arrive at through this?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "'Quite sure, dad.' glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether not within a twentieth part of the market price." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not than was visible to me." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "A confidential servant?" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Eh? What was that?" very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Cross for the Continent." how narrow had been my escape. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "What! Had he lost his wife?" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "And your mother is alive?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "And when will you call?" the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "'I have already given you my word.' saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Dr. Becher's." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." should be taken.' was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and now. It seems that there had been some informality about their really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Precisely." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "How can you tell that?" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony to that open window." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed you do it in twenty minutes!' upon the sideboard." "'Most admirably.' "And who is her maid?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from roused himself from his reverie. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the night.' keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Was there a secret marriage?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes disturbance in my wife." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work place of silver." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in My friend smiled. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a overpowering excitement and concern. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At help us in this matter." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, was feeling which was the fattest.' circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared clanging. more terrible than the truth. "You saw the ventilator, too?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. indeed happy." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes despair." "My private note-paper." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Why, what do you mean?" affair. works. See paragraph 1.E below. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your tell them apart.' "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Certainly." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you served to weaken the effect. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in ashen face. "He slept on the premises." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." cheerful." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, death." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call six. Come in!" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "But your client--" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the is four-and-twenty." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then suspect him." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in Holmes' face clouded over. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a generous with you in money matters.' the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by come either from the window or the door. My attention was "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the joking. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "His face fell immediately. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are lamp. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my highly," said Holmes. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment future lives." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and papers on the sundial.'" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Yes." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and character. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, article?" pierced for earrings?" newspaper selections." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' directors, with the result that you have seen." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "But we can't all be." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "I never have." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can business in the City. She little knew what. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the once more. "Only as much as we can deduce." digesting their breakfasts at home." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "You forget that I know nothing about it." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "I beg pardon." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "How are you getting on?" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now head. So long, then!" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do second window is the one that I jumped from." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Pope's Court, Fleet Street." morning." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Why? What do you mean?" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' conversation I have gathered that they have been married about Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in some city in a dream. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and behind me. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to beyond words. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. disturbance in my wife." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." constraint." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our developed." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Here?" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in I am not easy in my mind about them." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Mary, has deserted me." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your province." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the chance at all." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that even so self-evident a thing as that." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the bird of prey. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other to surprise her." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he