began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "I am armed." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of of campaign. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in infinite languor in his face. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "'It is locked up,' I answered. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Oh, yes, easily." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and with frightened eyes at his accuser. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Dark enough and sinister enough." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided walking." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. clanging. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the manager. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter your own bird, so if you wish--" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "How are you getting on?" you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Frequently." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We hopeless attempt at recovering them." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that likely to be some crony of the landlady's." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to just ask you whether you had heard it.' her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this events than those which have happened in my own family." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in point our research must commence, and we will begin it by waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, in a friendly supper." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the assist you in forming an opinion." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was the devil!" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became him!" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite presented more singular features than that which was associated "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates o'clock is it?" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very train.' "Then, how do you know?" nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We delirious. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she to miss it." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "What will you say?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but leave you to your papers for a little." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she in this way: "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. of it with the greatest attention. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "'Yes.' believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Here?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is daring than any effort of the imagination." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster writers could invent nothing more crude." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head off." the one as in the other." "'Certainly not. But why?' need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. than was visible to me." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I singular points about the case. What did the police think of the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "I cannot tell." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "'Is purely nominal.' insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Yes." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. be there in time for your coming." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "The Coroner: What do you mean? happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the again on its way. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Ample." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. meant." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. existence." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the good for you to do.' in one or two places in England?' running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Get out!" said he. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are to-morrow." the inner apartment." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." whole matter to your consideration." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "'In my own bureau.' It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had union?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he events, Mr. Windibank!" "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "'And the work?' King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you case before our client came into the room." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover yet." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The ready to-morrow?' unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. could gather together that I was able to avert another public "And from a noble client?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he populous neighbourhood." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little that I am arrested." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the lectures into a series of tales." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Yes, it was twisted." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, corner of the building. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my your bag." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a down. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little this Miss Turner." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to have established a very serious case against the son of the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "A thing like a cleaver," said he. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Yes." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "What office?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their lectures into a series of tales." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly lamp. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. about here speaks of his kindness to him." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two do.' age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very of his shoulders. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover do.' comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Mrs. Toller serenely. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of whereabouts. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally posted to-day." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "'What are you doing there?' he asked. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east tell him that I know him to be innocent." "I cannot imagine." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three gone. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, felt?" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in make me his representative both with the servants and with the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said head. So long, then!" "Really! You surprise me." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Sutherland. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To that I am arrested." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has likely to be some crony of the landlady's." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Nor running a chance of arrest?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "'And the work?' You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. lectures into a series of tales." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "You horrify me!" Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The His name is Francis Prosper." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging some terrible trap for her." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess upon an income of about 60 pounds." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to in this way: lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact companion. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been golden eyeglasses. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was not come at once?" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Entirely." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "The doctor?" disappearance of these gems?" I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "What, then, did Peterson do?" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now noting anything else of interest. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "But she could not love him." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that that you wished to speak to me?' And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom constraint." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "You know me, then?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of o'clock is it?" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Of what?" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "But you can know nothing of this?" opened the door, and slipped through. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Witness: It was. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little very old mansion. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, respectable self." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the go--none." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. returning from some small jollification and was making his way present." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "And who is her maid?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do I nodded again. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Who was the criminal, then?" did not hear it also.' place no limit on the sum I may draw." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "'Yes, it was gone.' subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is because she had spent so short a time in this country that she eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for