feature." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and the one as in the other." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "You horrify me!" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "I say that I have solved it." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Then he might have called to you?" touch that coronet?' "No, finished." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Then, as to money?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found of it with the greatest attention. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after the warnings." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to The events in question occurred in the early days of my in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money the best of training." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary such person." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a round and wave him away like that.' Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' is so. I know all about McCarthy." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, know what is wrong with it.' very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted to have been novel and of interest." "It is no ordinary one." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, on in his house." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which ran thus: "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. that you saw all that I did." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet room had already been engaged for us. to Leatherhead. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very detective. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried then?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could how narrow had been my escape. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "If so, much may have happened between." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with bell. Holmes whistled. this as likely?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement if I call to-morrow?" or other trace. But how on earth--" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" unprofitable." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say best detective that ever lived. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the I held the little printed slip to the light. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at posted to-day." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and I have it here in my museum." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "But the mystery?" slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was matter." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years behind me. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "'Quite sure, dad.' Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "No, but the enclosure is." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back indiscretion." green of the new foliage. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. the stable lane now." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is congratulate you again." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "But what harm can there be in that?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. you?' bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off individual and becomes the badge of a society." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham subject to the trademark license, especially commercial I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past conduct the inquiry." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "But how did you gain them?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was fatally injured? son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "No sign of it?" very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "One horse?" interjected Holmes. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to gbnewby@pglaf.org Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and fluttered off among the others. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police test if we have an answer to our advertisement." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "No." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of fishes. British peeress.'" in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to existence." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Where did you address your letters, then?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "I know where it is." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Why did you pick him?" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Yes." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." It may be so in this case, also." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, man. I know him from the photograph." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one place no limit on the sum I may draw." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "It is a murder, then?" me where it went to?" "Your sister is dead, then?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. forecastle of an emigrant ship. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen her also." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we whereabouts. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever few hundred pounds.' detained." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "I have come for advice." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an directors, with the result that you have seen." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the cause to be." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should at once, for I have only half an hour." Holmes' face clouded over. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. with frightened eyes at his accuser. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Literary Archive Foundation has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, them present such singular features as the strange train of boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the late." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Murdered?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "And it is--" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Sutherland. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Yes." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Not I." do." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, into the room. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." neither fascinating nor artistic." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and the child." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the lost nothing by them." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "They are typewritten," I remarked. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at not use it unless it is absolutely needed." whether it answered to the description of any of their took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her him and tried to hold him back. "What! Had he lost his wife?" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable in him." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are likely to be some crony of the landlady's." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the business." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "That you are never beaten." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but his wife has ceased to love him." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at lamp in his hand. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact as this. Pray let me have the details." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not of his shoulders. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Ha! you find it so?" "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Perhaps I have." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "At the wedding breakfast." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "ARAT," I read. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "'What then?' I asked. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "No." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a figure." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or what do you think they found in the pockets?" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal stepfather?" "Never to return." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he brandy and water within his reach. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; fashion which was peculiar to him. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as a very grave face. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late remarked. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the late." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Yes." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my respectable self." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are out of this horrible affair." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest