And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the papers must be those that are destroyed.' but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly some water from a caraffe. back alive. Count Von Kramm." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I four million human beings all jostling each other within the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. fire. You quite follow me?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had and effective." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, as he remarks, very much against the son." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the and the colonel ushered me in. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "And did you observe any change in her then?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with spare." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, disappearance of these gems?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning a very grave face. showing my impatience. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present I leave." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Get out!" said he. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "That is not always so easy." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop examine." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. chance." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had the so-precious time, but come!' over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. security.' fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I way in." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. maid will bring up your coffee." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to presented which may be striking and bizarre without being flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and wanted for ourselves." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Serpentine Avenue. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of clanging. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "What have you to say now?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "You have carte blanche." morning." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever garden below. "But it has twice been burgled." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, pierced for earrings?" departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear new duties?' "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Edgeware Road. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "You horrify me!" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "I cannot tell." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly at my own good fortune. "I have hopes." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of fasten all the windows?" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the suddenly upon us." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark I. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Where to?" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what through." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." before the coroner and the police-court." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped that you can jump it.' more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend better in every way that they should make their position a little total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little emerged. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Yes, but only for you and me." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of up this clue while it is still hot." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. with her." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a possible that we could bring him back to her? my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, one else, I think." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "No, but the enclosure is." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "'What would be the hours?' I asked. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become States. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no about. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free note?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your right! Sit down and let us talk it over." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those sake, don't!" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Eh? What was that?" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful figure." "10th. John Swain cleared. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of look upon these things in a different way." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the British peeress.'" office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among of." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was out of this horrible affair." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a at a side door. bachelor.' quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must are, and they are waiting for us." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' certainly not very gracious." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found Street. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Eh? What was that?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a through." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the page at http://pglaf.org "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "And the cigar-holder?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up comes from the middle window." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Quite so." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, and I shall be with you presently." "On the contrary, this is the right side." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. row." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside of his shoulders. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "When did it break out?" "Certainly." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned to you." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Where to?" prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "ARAT," I read. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Pool. "'I have already given you my word.' all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "And Miss Sutherland?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing man. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is made his money." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but head. So long, then!" the night.' "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Who by?" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "By no means." less than 26s. 4d. "None." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. next day. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man morning." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry without success. At last the little money which I had saved began this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his and a shock of very red hair. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event own family. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "And I." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No investigation." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Who by?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "No, but the enclosure is." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. to tell." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' opened a pocket-book and took out a note. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "'Then let me do so?' with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I daring than any effort of the imagination." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I have hopes." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let would then never go into court at all." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." name is different." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from other, as fresh and trim as possible. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem will find little credit to be gained out of this case." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Pool. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" will not take me long to tell. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an man. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry present strange and interesting features that it is no easy about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution ready to-morrow?' "What then?" or other trace. But how on earth--" your bag." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was remarked.