already been minutely examined." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Well?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "What! You do not mean bodies?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. bears upon the case?" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A papers." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning you in your example." true." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Certainly, madam." "It looks newer than the other things?" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Ample." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "The rest you will leave in our hands." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there way in everything. in a very precise fashion." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing six. Come in!" "No, I had a dozen." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more take the flies, but not before." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind excitement. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us three of the beryls in it, was missing. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian fattened it expressly for you.' given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of at my own good fortune. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "It is possible." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I or in danger--" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "How on earth--" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands from the brougham. "I was sure that I might rely on you." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter skylight. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil again on its way. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "One of his hands." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small criminal. We have already had experience of such." papers on the sundial.'" the general public were present, then?" "Won't it ring?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Then I do not see the point." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Did you become engaged then?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those him!" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to guilty parties." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Was she in good spirits?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder present strange and interesting features that it is no easy mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may me. You must get home instantly and act." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Thank you. And your address?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Not particularly." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Yes, he did." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a highly," said Holmes. "'A dozen yards or so.' to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the inquest, and which are worth considering." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. drawing your inferences." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "But I have heard all that you have heard." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so the very morning of the wedding." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Then you may entirely rely on me." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your down from London to inquire more deeply into it." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" less than 26s. 4d. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further off." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "What steps will you take?" I asked. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, to change my dress. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. be. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of companion. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped that the gas is not laid on in his house?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project clanging. on re-entering her father's house?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "None. Neville wrote those words." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "And from a noble client?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." Eyford." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into had died away into the silence from which it rose. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. lamp in his hand. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with if she died from some sudden fright." "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "And sit in the dark?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! answer." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "My last client of the sort was a king." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is for its centre. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I burst out into a roar of laughter. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "It is no ordinary one." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "If I can be of use." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that ourselves in the office." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Did you observe the colour?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a young Openshaw's." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given deduce something from that?" head. So long, then!" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative within hail.' "Certainly." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "She walked into the breakfast-room." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed public press." recover the gem." whereabouts. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Thank you. Pray proceed." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with gone. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "What! Had he lost his wife?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his into the room. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Ah!" of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "A client, then?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "I have come for advice." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has before the coroner and the police-court." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than interests were the same as his." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, waste of energy." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "She told me to ask you." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Did you become engaged then?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "It goes to the housekeeper's room." village inn over there?" this unhappy family?" refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity gives a meaning to it." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know the house with me." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never on re-entering her father's house?" "Can I be of assistance?" not, dad?" she asked. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could these bleak autumnal evenings." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of late!' which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his with frightened eyes at his accuser. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be be sorry for having acted so harshly." crackling voice. "It is possible." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, and the whole place is in a blaze." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' woman who has had her own way to make in the world. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided crackling voice. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed meant." cheerful." "What, then, did Peterson do?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "And that is--" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of the room while you explain this matter?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. it." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind that?' already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name tail." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my seven miles from Eyford Station.' say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. I leave." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the very letters. But what is this written above them?' though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "But what is it you wish?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that very morning of my second wedding." McCarthy's innocence. "But he might be a bachelor." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "'Certainly,' I answered. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my and prosperity to your house. Good-night." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "You think so, too?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the in darkness. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the that he has suffered." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall more terrible than the truth. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic joking. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the bled considerably." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "By no means." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for closely." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are at my own good fortune. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Will you bet, then?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "But you have hopes?" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered detained." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of suspect him." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must off." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Serpentine Avenue. have had none more fantastic than this." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the you." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily