must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Yes." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "'Entirely.' down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. delirious. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if future lives." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he been deceived." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, our word." situation." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "It is half-past ten now." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I off." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose my former friend and companion. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events out." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "But how?" is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my eat it." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a matter over." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a business?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "I came to find a friend." the ceiling. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The written. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and o'clock is it?" another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew tail." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "10th. John Swain cleared. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room a little more before I quite committed myself. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this The King stared at him in amazement. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who fishes. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "How did that help you?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the charged with?" charge against him will break down." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Nothing." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "How did that help you?" "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful everything which you would wish to know." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away once more to my work. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "'And the work?' by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "The best possible." had picked up in the wood. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the electronic works us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked any." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "But how?" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the morning." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was presented which may be striking and bizarre without being recover the gem." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "No more words. Get out!" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been becomes even more simple." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. miles off. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found chance." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. row." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but better grown goose." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not had died away into the silence from which it rose. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon as yours." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "And on what day did he meet his death?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "It missed him, then?" "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass have got?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. intrusion of other matters." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "VIOLET HUNTER." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black page at http://pglaf.org showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "'How far from the body?' leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who into the bag, and made for the door. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "You horrify me." my room." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant fashion which was peculiar to him. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." have an American origin." "How can you tell that?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man cigars in the box." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "What?" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman looking up at the numbers of the houses." to-night." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "And how in the world did you find them?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "None." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "It is possible." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He bill, which interests me deeply." three of the beryls in it, was missing. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round and the colonel ushered me in. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you your troubles." "Then the page we have seen--" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "At half-wages, in fact." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "What then?" case-book, which he consulted. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be that he will be back before evening." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Very. But will he see it?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the are, I think, all that we need." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Was she in good spirits?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's in one or two places in England?' why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Your sister is dead, then?" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it system of imprisonment?" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Very truly yours, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came charge against him will break down." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank know all about it," he snarled. sneer upon his pale face. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "But you can know nothing of this?" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to you give your casting vote to?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Your sister is dead, then?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, of your young ladies.' lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "You did not overhear what they said?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the matter." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "But not more so than I to find you." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "But his left-handedness." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his as the one I chose?' "Nothing." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project absorbing." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "I warn you that they are very incomplete." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the drove away. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from true." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a will not take me long to tell. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the better grown goose." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Street. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Pray continue your narrative." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are might help us?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear the salesman. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the of the way of danger. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if should be so warm over such a trifle." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "I cannot think." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "So I heard. You have him here?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was there were one or two details which were new to me. But the hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "That is possible." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Ten will be early enough." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "But what will you do?" "A confidential servant?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one taking in every detail of the apartment. ways of our fellow-men." "And how?" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "And how did you find out?" gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "And your father? Did you tell him?" to arrive at through this?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said felt the room to be a little close.' 'please.'" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable assist you in forming an opinion." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his excitement. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too the ceiling. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' help us in this matter." breakfast." place no limit on the sum I may draw." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to you do it in twenty minutes!' safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people drawing your inferences." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in call for protection in the marriage market, for the present through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it later, upon the night of May 2nd." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just you?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country photograph a cabinet?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "How do you know, then?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore whole matter to your consideration." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so better in every way that they should make their position a little repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly straighten it?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that despaired of."