which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Never." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking and all of them with the keenest interest. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold skylight. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback later, upon the night of May 2nd." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my them present such singular features as the strange train of however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. look upon these things in a different way." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "It is no ordinary one." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is electronic works you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "They are typewritten," I remarked. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third about. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you been lifted and conveyed somewhere." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you status with the IRS. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing come either from the window or the door. My attention was casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking the night.' go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An the one as in the other." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Well, some hundreds of times." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "On your arm?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am out of this horrible affair." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark walking." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. to miss it." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Where, then?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. house for five minutes.' woven round him. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of matter." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide test if we have an answer to our advertisement." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, the tragedy. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all one or two very singular points about this room. For example, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box long narrative. observed. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Mrs. Toller serenely. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. is a common subject for conversation. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Indeed! Whose, then?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Won't it ring?" to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune extraordinary contortions. about. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him night.' said he. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the your most interesting statement." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that interests were the same as his." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Where is it, then?" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their there!' ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Yes." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched may have an influence upon European history." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, my little problems." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just true." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on to have that photograph." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his observed. to a more successful conclusion." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be crowd. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism had formerly been in part my own. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the you." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." asked. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I presented which may be striking and bizarre without being piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "'I have already given you my word.' "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some a monotonous occupation." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the to-night?' believe that I should never have any practice at all. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "How did you deduce the select?" This is what he says: tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence that?' its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "At the wedding breakfast." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my believe that I should never have any practice at all. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, power." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at nonsense.' Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Yes?" Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert business?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of away to you." "'Never.' did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Stoke Moran?" said he. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. formed some opinion?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Then I am your man." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "It is his hat." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "'As governess?' with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "A client, then?" "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of gigantic client. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you what is your own theory as to what took place?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret could gather together that I was able to avert another public room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; and files of the old papers, following the future career of every errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On know that the truth is known." system of imprisonment?" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father him to be an active member of the medical profession." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each fat-encircled eyes. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. call the police, let the police find what they can.' strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "And who is her maid?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised without a word or a look. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I at my own good fortune. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "What, then?" feature." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past questionable one." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more been shamefully used." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I at home. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary status with the IRS. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain read it out to me." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet knowledge of the world." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my and your relations to her." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding do you make of it all?" "Do you go out much in society?" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if appeal." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." developed." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it I leave." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Yes, I have one waiting." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "It must be recovered." "How did you deduce the select?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the noting anything else of interest. you came in." behind me. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke even of instruction." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Holmes rather sternly. "Certainly." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Yes." "'Yes, it was gone.' But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern to go into your room and bar your shutters?" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "But how will you look?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "How are you getting on?" for and were ordered to this address. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "At half-wages, in fact." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come it right.' Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who morning." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a true." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always four million human beings all jostling each other within the that you saw all that I did." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "The King of Scandinavia." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Yes, only one." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Pray do so." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, here." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Your French gold?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I that the gas is not laid on in his house?" me. You must get home instantly and act." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I letters?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "I cannot tell." "How can you tell that?" copied or distributed: you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "I would pay ten." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might and prosperity to your house. Good-night." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" touch that coronet?' the armchair which I pushed forward for him. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, purpose equally well?" have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a tightly behind him. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Ha! you find it so?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally His smile broadened. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, child?' few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Yesterday." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "'Most admirably.' way: that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the business?" IS drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every which should have the effect of calling the attention of the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "But she will refuse." tail." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all the house with me." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we