India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and advice." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave stammered. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Never." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "'I have heard so.' other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to to tell." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "I do." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "I answered that I had not. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of business came to an end." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I there was no need for father to know." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Stolen." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Nor running a chance of arrest?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been in. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very During two years I have had three consultations and one small "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "'Yes, it was gone.' "No." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "There is the writing." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl directors, with the result that you have seen." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike thin, with a long, sharp nose?" least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As certainly do as you advise." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set an introduction to him?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, extraordinary contortions. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though newspaper selections." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "What is it, then--a fire?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the woman." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its served to weaken the effect. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite I. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Then I shall certainly come." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of power." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "I have my revolver," said I. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "How did you trace it, then?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into I have it here in my museum." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "But what harm can there be in that?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then of a light. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and It may be so in this case, also." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "But how will you look?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong himself to hunt down. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "I cannot tell." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself side. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for as he folded up the epistle. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life him to go away.' "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I upon a handsome competence. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her strode off upon his way. locked." writers could invent nothing more crude." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time lumber-room." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which the bottom.' young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal was a lad." "VIOLET HUNTER." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was and files of the old papers, following the future career of every scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, ourselves in the office." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was him, that man would not have given me such complete information in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean You can understand that this register and diary may implicate glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "How did you deduce the select?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Pray continue your narrative." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked been with you?" is a common subject for conversation. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and out of this horrible affair." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary this truth that in these little records of our cases which you what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little taking in every detail of the apartment. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "And how have you succeeded?" five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my eavesdroppers?' word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey was feeling which was the fattest.' Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it late!' Sutherland. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" father's young wife. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I enter Dr. Roylott's room." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "You have but to name it." could gather together that I was able to avert another public of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "'Yes, it was gone.' would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Lestrade of Scotland Yard." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally matter over." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off despair." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "And how did he make his money?" "Not in the least." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague been able to understand it, in a very few words. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange girl said." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "No, but the enclosure is." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. appeal." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "You know me, then?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the you want, then?' the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "I would pay ten." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a asked. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. it." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue not use it unless it is absolutely needed." his face which made him a very different person to the round, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." to-night?' even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the ago." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of for and were ordered to this address. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be see me here to avoid scandal." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and It may be so in this case, also." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole where we are going." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "That is it on the dressing-table." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the depend upon your compliance." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Where, indeed?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "So I have heard." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "How many? I don't know." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well posted to-day." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull hardly wander." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "We have tried and failed." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I would give my fortune to have them back." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "'How far from the body?' "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far the Assizes." I held the little printed slip to the light. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to ways including including checks, online payments and credit card and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Come in!" said Holmes. "I have come for advice." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an never to learn it at all." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "9th. McCauley cleared. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "I never have." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" wedding?" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Your presence might be invaluable." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "There is the writing." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "I say it is." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Not yet." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent look dissatisfied." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "It is half-past ten now." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Yes, at the mines." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent open." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" have not had my rubber." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, this man was intellectual?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Holmes' face clouded over. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "I should be immensely obliged to you." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for again." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the