ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I stood on the top of it. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic burst out into a roar of laughter. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his happened." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets your most interesting statement." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace spark where all is dark to me." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great sound at heart." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "It looks newer than the other things?" "You will not go there first?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the strength of mind to control. to a light-house. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white ways including including checks, online payments and credit card But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "It surprised me." always that they were such commands as a lady might with I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Certainly, madam." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "I answered that I had not. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Yes." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong the driver. noting anything else of interest. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "It looks newer than the other things?" his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the when you have done it." "That is possible." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "But I have heard all that you have heard." disturbance in my wife." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a meant it for the best. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us fattened it expressly for you.' look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal you." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. late!' "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business But Holmes shook his head gravely. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "It is possible." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you heavy and sharp instrument." round and wave him away like that.' would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third him, that man would not have given me such complete information the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "In answer to an advertisement." charged with?" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about ordinary clothes on?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "What office?" prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower front of me. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Indeed! Whose, then?" glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "And I to find an enemy." memory. rooms." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, and no precautions can guard against." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the as the one I chose?' "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of such attractions and accomplishments?' followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. think that any burglar could have done. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Yes, sir." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the house for five minutes.' "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "My own seal." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Do you receive much company?" he asked. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the ventilator." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the Assizes." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Now, then, what's the last entry?" is worth.' never came back." "Really! You surprise me." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "And how?" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw eavesdroppers?' note?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of think that he is innocent?" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "I am following you closely," I answered. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his lost nothing by them." "My own seal." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "The best possible." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a The telegram which we eventually received came late one night there is a decided draught." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the other lovers by making love himself." written, and locked the door of the office after me. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "No, I had a dozen." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this most important business. It is probable that he will be away all cigars in the box." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even man. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the train.' probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In been with you?" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love I shall continue with my miserable story. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little III. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too or other trace. But how on earth--" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. off." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was attention." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend even of instruction." him. gone. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "The best possible." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions British peeress.'" your only hope of safety." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest dates and names. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the King without delay." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch I shall communicate with you." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming footfalls from the street. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your remarked. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which these bleak autumnal evenings." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled any." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some here." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" was feeling which was the fattest.' Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of lids now and glanced across at his visitor. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** himself to tell his story. guilty parties." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Is he quiet?" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the soul! here is her carriage at the door." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little ran thus: examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, conceal it?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." think, you have already met." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I he bowed and left the room without another word. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, or other trace. But how on earth--" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must views." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Then, as to money?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle was a lad." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of your most interesting statement." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It trifles." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Certainly." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not me have 200 pounds?' without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may not come at once?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Do you go out much in society?" to tackle the facts." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, your co-operation." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "'No, I know no one in these parts.' the stones. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was not, dad?" she asked. that you can jump it.' The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and was keenly on my guard against him. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Then, how do you know?" stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening along the entire front of the house, with three long windows passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and been able to understand it, in a very few words. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much upon the sideboard." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "'I am sure that I do not know.' answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as the inquest, and which are worth considering." yourselves in at night?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "It is solved." "She will not sell." "It is solved." time." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a shadow pass over his face as I spoke. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an John Swain, of St. Augustine. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Pope's Court. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is have been better. It is all right." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. a little more before I quite committed myself. "No." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Then, as to money?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon important." pierced for earrings?"