these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Where, indeed?" certainly do as you advise." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "In which, sir?" entirely devoid of interest." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "So it appears." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you opened the door, and slipped through. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "No, distinctly professional." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" believe that I should never have any practice at all. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall yourselves in at night?" in. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "That is it on the dressing-table." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "I know where it is." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a writing, and yet I know it well." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a of fine shops and stately business premises that they really the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "If I can be of use." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "'Certainly,' I answered. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a off." was lame." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Absolutely none." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, child?' "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Yes." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any developed." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. you do it in twenty minutes!' "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the figure." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where DAMAGE. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was at once, for I have only half an hour." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and out of this horrible affair." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" touch that coronet?' Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own could go. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He pound a week." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "You think so, too?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand once more for Briony Lodge. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. call the police, let the police find what they can.' Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back The police have openly confessed that they can at present make snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning showing my impatience. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been had picked up in the wood. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no hands. would then never go into court at all." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and me where it went to?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my away into the river." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "That is also quite modern," said the lady. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by at my remark. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it little adventures." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a roused himself from his reverie. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There all that?" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite sparkled upon his finger. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the bed, and you in that chair." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Doctor, of the paper and the date." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "I was afraid that you were engaged." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We of a light. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever shall use the carriage to-night." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress was the fact that his father should, according to his account, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your o'clock is it?" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who nice household for a young lady." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be must compliment you." the stable lane now." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in will take you up to see the machine.' "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Holmes. murdered man." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to are, I think, all that we need." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There begun to whiten, even as mine has." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it be best to do. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the death." "What are they?" the Red-headed League." your co-operation." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by speckled band?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Your presence might be invaluable." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." or other trace. But how on earth--" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Nearly eleven." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Then, how do you know?" "'In my own bureau.' "But how did you gain them?" me what he had done with the three missing stones. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled derbies." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. of a light. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "I do." as the one I chose?' I held the little printed slip to the light. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "The vanishing of the lady." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the wedding?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried in darkness. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Very. But will he see it?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Yes, it would be as well." character. ventilator." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman prisoner's face. he bowed and left the room without another word. gigantic client. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled dramatic, in fact." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "My opinion is in no way altered." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. over here." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Not I." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Really! You surprise me." back alive. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our do." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "A greater distance to travel." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their she has been waylaid. There has been no result." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered formed some opinion?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." tightly behind him. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." showing my impatience. "Precisely." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of forehead. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "'Entirely.' a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of to-night?' paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to despaired of." "Yes, that is the Crown." the side-table." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the approach us with offers to donate. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, retorted upon me, and I on you." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge http://www.gutenberg.net "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" developed." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates which it had come upon my father." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Come in!" said he. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of a very grave face. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a people in all walks of life. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "I have come for advice." "Stolen." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "That also I could fathom." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought used to be." delighted to hear it," he said. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little cause to be." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in as this. Pray let me have the details." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Deserted you?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to arrested. You then--" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this events, Mr. Windibank!" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "No, I think that I'll take it." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Tired-looking or fresh?" bird I ate is country bred." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so followed. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "That is it on the dressing-table." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit bears upon the case?" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "No, I think that I'll take it." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "'And the work?' "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and present strange and interesting features that it is no easy or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her carriage. It was a chestnut." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, mysterious end." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it leaning back in his chair. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." them?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Why? What do you mean?" go from here to the Strand." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let lectures into a series of tales." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting noble correspondent could be. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "The vanishing of the lady." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair the coronet in his hand?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the