about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day his face which made him a very different person to the round, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Did you observe the colour?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Won't it ring?" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "I should wish to." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such would apply.' "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which presented more singular features than that which was associated "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months guilty parties." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards problems help me to do so." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "One of the highest in England." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to that, and I came down." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Entirely." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew door?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment hurried away. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, do you make of it all?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "But of what society?" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "'It is locked up,' I answered. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had even so self-evident a thing as that." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." mystery." "Really! You surprise me." noble correspondent could be. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "But the mystery?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a grasp, he hurried from the room. chamber." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. trifles." "Why serious?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs and I shall be with you presently." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Certainly, madam." you." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce had this final quarrel? police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an examine." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the my little problems." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Then, as to money?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips never will be, entirely cleared up. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can or other trace. But how on earth--" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "One horse?" interjected Holmes. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "In San Francisco, a year ago." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "I was afraid that you were engaged." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "You have a clue?" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "You think so, too?" in his hands." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. you in your example." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this fact, we may call it conclusive." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from suggested at once that there must be a communication between the confronted him. coat-tails." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should should be taken.' father's place of business?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Countess of Morcar's?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no jewels which you have stolen?' education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Dirty?" "I am about to be married." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the investigation." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Never." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "But who is he?" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian the bottom.' give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Eh? What was that?" "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing and looked back. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic once more. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." there." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you fasten all the windows?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would for and were ordered to this address. "I have seen the police." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm What do you deduce from it?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am at home. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" for securing the situation." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional passage and a tap at the door. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Yes, they were peculiar boots." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "I should be immensely obliged to you." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from sufficient punishment." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be were unconscious?" The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He done what I asked you, Jones?" someone who had been in Australia." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was silent! Oh, he will be silent!' year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a was a lad." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be the inner apartment." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." as noiselessly as she had come. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "And now?" I asked. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I and the church but not where the lady lived." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Certainly." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire here and I will read it to you: "By all means." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Why did you pick him?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Yes." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill himself to hunt down. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "They are typewritten," I remarked. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was have accepted such a situation. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Indeed! Whose, then?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very disappearance of the bride.'" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the strode off upon his way. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to followed. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous like that before?" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been maid will bring up your coffee." in the hope of finding them." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting charged with?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I I took the paper from him and read as follows: many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near opportunities to fix the problem. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a with you?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott so far?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little with you alone." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "I know where it is." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "And I to find an enemy." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage you in your example." "Certainly." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "No, but the enclosure is." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the washing it down with a long draught of water. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of works. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "No, I think that I'll take it." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his disturbance in my wife." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." not as remarkable as your advertisement." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On chance." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being is," said he presently: "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Yes." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a secret." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "I came to find a friend." Holmes." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you astonishment. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the of." waste of energy." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight direction." see me here to avoid scandal." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "I was sure that I might rely on you." business in the City. She little knew what. Eyford." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses said I. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each call the police, let the police find what they can.' 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "My opinion is in no way altered." "Where did he live, then?" retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "But it has twice been burgled." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "On your arm?" tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill detective. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward this as likely?" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "A call for help, you thought?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." touch that coronet?' "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with despair." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Oh, yes, easily." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "You horrify me!" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he States. "I cannot think." distinguish the words: continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it vanished into the darkness. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes."