I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' visitors." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep 1.F. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first something of him before." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" wanted for ourselves." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Where did you address your letters, then?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." him and tried to hold him back. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. maid will bring up your coffee." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We if she died from some sudden fright." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of this remarkable episode. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note and have this put in the evening papers." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she and a shock of very red hair. families. Now for the facts. "And from a noble client?" place no limit on the sum I may draw." persecution?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported amused." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. head. So long, then!" "Where is it, then?" the stones. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "This concluded the examination of the witness." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be to some other building. "The gentleman I describe." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. ran thus: "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "We were both in the photograph." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" and wait." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Well, it is a possible supposition." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his sake, don't!" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Then I do not see the point." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "You think so, too?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Yes." eat it." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, http://www.gutenberg.net to Leatherhead. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich I. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since paper in the air. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in my special province." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good papers." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with are, and they are waiting for us." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and your billet.' with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "And for present expenses?" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be row." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Nothing." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left maiden herself was most instructive." "I say it is." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." awaited us upon the table. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "What then?" will not take me long to tell. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "I say that I have solved it." Munro.' One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Pray do so." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up arrangements." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And out of this horrible affair." "Where, then?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "'Where to?' allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the about. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided disappearance of these gems?" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come at my own good fortune. I approached. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Married! When?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the flock.' that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "And Irene Adler?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and then?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until narrative." open." "But to whom?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The your only hope of safety." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "It looks newer than the other things?" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees humiliation." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own of Fenchurch Street." "What have you to say now?" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Married! When?" "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his way in." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." fasten all the windows?" were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version IS did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "And you don't know his address?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "And from a noble client?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" some water from a caraffe. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house once more. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Yes, the wine-cellar." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that strength of mind to control. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Well, it is a possible supposition." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Certainly." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "But of what society?" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of photograph?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "And Miss Sutherland?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "I should like to see him very much." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through sake, don't!" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Murdered?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called do.' "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes closely." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "And how did you verify them?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Sholtos." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Have you it here?" society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, to some other building. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. he. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' chance at all." Doctor, of the paper and the date." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Ah, but I was recommended to you." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady think, you have already met." mystery." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler attention." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "A thing like a cleaver," said he. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike reach." the side-table." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow obstinate." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "It is no ordinary one." the running down." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "'Why that?' I asks. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the shoulder; "he's all right." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "You have carte blanche." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced present strange and interesting features that it is no easy of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "If so, much may have happened between." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Stolen." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were that you wished to speak to me?' believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other she has been waylaid. There has been no result." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Texas, I think." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to events than those which have happened in my own family." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." case-book, which he consulted. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "It surprised me." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to should be taken.' rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever sofa. This way, please!" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "I have solved it." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue train from Paddington which would bring you there at about the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, copied or distributed: "'Certainly not. But why?' "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was all?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have place no limit on the sum I may draw." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Do you go out much in society?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him once more. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird she has been waylaid. There has been no result." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Certainly, madam." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "But the mystery?" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a washing it down with a long draught of water. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a happened." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand through." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this posted to-day." "I would pay ten." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our should be taken.' you found me to-night--and running through the front room she waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time business at Coburg Square is serious." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "We must have a cab." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story."