weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and the side-table." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and there has been an enclosure here!" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter woman." call for it in person on Monday morning.' little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut himself to tell his story. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So when you have done it." the warnings." your bag." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "'Certainly not. But why?' some water from a caraffe. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass as he remarks, very much against the son." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth is acting for the best. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "A call for help, you thought?" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was bell. Holmes whistled. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his to-night?' husband's writing, madam." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, get the tickets." back into the street. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "I will try. What is it?" conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Dark enough and sinister enough." depend upon your compliance." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per a few minutes he said that it would be all right. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Were they all fastened this morning?" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he recall any case within my experience which looked at the first Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our here." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. one of them." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the assist you in forming an opinion." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving upon an income of about 60 pounds." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no His name is Francis Prosper." way in." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming for its centre. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and photograph?" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the Assizes." official police." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all such person." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. eat it." "But we can't all be." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You License. You must require such a user to return or against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very and I shall be with you presently." cause to be." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it never will be, entirely cleared up. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be exactly what you advise." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his quickly through a disagreeable task. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his recover the gem." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I furiously. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger like gravel from a pit.' out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue you for a few hours?" owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and call for protection in the marriage market, for the present there!' "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "My stepfather's business papers." drawing your inferences." "I assure you that I am in your hands." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped to-night?' As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "'How far from the body?' however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Then he might have called to you?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Pope's Court. is worth.' information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of from you?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. chill to my heart. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Holmes." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the certainly do as you advise." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it What do you deduce from it?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "I have solved it." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, are windows in it, of course?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which read it out to me." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing hair?' daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "That is it on the dressing-table." hair?' "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying What do you deduce from it?" washing it down with a long draught of water. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all any." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Where, indeed?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees very peculiar words of the dying woman?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might relation between them, and what the object of his repeated story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "How are you getting on?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered too. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and depend upon your compliance." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp carpenter." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to floor. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, shoulder; "he's all right." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, so.' "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "It's nothing of the kind." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my where Mr. Fordham shows you.' a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we nonsense.' with you?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Yes, they were peculiar boots." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the hard-headed British jury." I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Do you know him?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front and have this put in the evening papers." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, someone who had been in Australia." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before chair. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation wedding?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Nothing." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most matter." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the business?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low was keenly on my guard against him. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Yes, sir." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "But your client--" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were get her out of the way." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Nothing?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Sholtos." "A call for help, you thought?" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no hereditary King of Bohemia." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "'I shall certainly be there.' to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do keep the flames under. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing other lovers by making love himself." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Do you know him?" I was concerned in it." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Your French gold?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Sutherland. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment coroner's jury." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by The events in question occurred in the early days of my "How do you know, then?" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Yes, all." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "And leave your case unfinished?" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where made him keep the appointment." for its centre. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Deserted you?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of was lame." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where strange features which were associated with the two crimes which dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Well, but China?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Yes, all." Dr. Gregory B. Newby Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such daring than any effort of the imagination." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards the warnings." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "And that is--" had a long day." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will events than those which have happened in my own family." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be guilty one." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. you in your example." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Perhaps I have." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "That is also quite modern," said the lady. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from that I am arrested." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you affair. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "In what way?" asked Holmes. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "'Where could I find him?' brandy and water within his reach. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Texas, I think." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and showing my impatience. is," said he presently: with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as his forehead." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide strong and stiff." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her."