"What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by tied." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Yes, there are nearly always some there." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. allusion to a rat. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "What will you do, then?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. photograph?" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, closely." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "How about poison?" and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his any more." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so occurred." "'Where could I find him?' hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Sholtos." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "A confidential servant?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off awkward doing business with an alias." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Holmes' thin, eager face. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in washing it down with a long draught of water. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Two days later this same performance was gone through under What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous said he, "my real name is James Ryder." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Did he not advertise?" walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "I would pay ten." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "What, then, did Peterson do?" to a light-house. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Chief Executive and Director whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." own family. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even detained." "It is possible." the so-precious time, but come!' successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "But the mystery?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he system of imprisonment?" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Game for a morning drive?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "The vanishing of the lady." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Really! You surprise me." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "'Yes.' "You did not overhear what they said?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to threw himself down with his face to the pillow. easy-going way." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I habit of advancing money.' pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the was a perfect sample of the class. carriage. It was a chestnut." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "And what then?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Eyford." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. http://gutenberg.net/license). The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "What!" he roared. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Have you it here?" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "My Mary? Impossible!" "And how in the world did you find them?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord business matters.' took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a just called myself is not exactly my own." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried the coroner come to?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better nothing with him." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. shaken than I had ever seen him. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "But he might be a bachelor." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Come in!" said he. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had vault. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a was it brought him the coronet? "What! You do not mean bodies?" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against I shall communicate with you." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very point our research must commence, and we will begin it by best detective that ever lived. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of that the gas is not laid on in his house?" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as I shall continue with my miserable story. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "And is that all?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the was a perfect sample of the class. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "But we can't all be." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of started for the Temple to see my husband. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am bearing upon the case." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate him to go away.' of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "I should be immensely obliged to you." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Nothing." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But DAMAGE. upon the shelf for the interim." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but manager. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were wedding?" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and said I. gone before you can get him to hospital." "My stepfather's business papers." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies have had none more fantastic than this." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "But his left-handedness." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that see me here to avoid scandal." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "It is very kind of you." had died away into the silence from which it rose. London for the present?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Yes, there are nearly always some there." my little problems." sake, don't!" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "What of the rat, then?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. bird of prey. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and yourselves in at night?" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Certainly." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an infinite languor in his face. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Precisely." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has said I. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "And that is--" to have been novel and of interest." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was said Mr. Holder. already been minutely examined." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest arrangements." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his is so. I know all about McCarthy." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at tell them apart.' the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. window when the police appeared." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, dates and names. "Can I be of assistance?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "That is it on the dressing-table." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have something of him before." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort when your master had gone out." opened the door, and slipped through. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was signal between you and your father? "But I am all in the dark." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to as he remarks, very much against the son." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "And what then?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air conversation I have gathered that they have been married about row." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a my former friend and companion. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself respectable self." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. have I gained?" "Yes, from Horsham." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds had picked up in the wood. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" fait accompli?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been must be when I saw the door open.' "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." meant." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Will you go?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "'Certainly not.' screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that seen the man in the road." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the said he at last. of a light. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the charged with?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "'Stolen!' he cried. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see business came to an end." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, done what I asked you, Jones?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray not fit the lock." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "I am following you closely," I answered. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out