Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "I cannot say that I have." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. with some details as to your case." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "They are typewritten," I remarked. there has been an enclosure here!" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. skylight. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I the night.' affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "You did not overhear what they said?" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Bought." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes death." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms hurried by. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "That is unusual in a young girl." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should 'please.'" age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No and looked back. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch shoulder. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Holmes' face clouded over. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the that I can to serve you." "Is he quiet?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "None. Neville wrote those words." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to that you can jump it.' stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "I don't say that. Perhaps." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good past. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "If I can be of use." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the gbnewby@pglaf.org with her." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence sufficient punishment." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of entirely devoid of interest." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good wife's character?" very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "To an end?" "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching From what you have told me I think that it is possible that it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was and the church but not where the lady lived." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "What then?" "I am armed." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Then I am your man." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his this truth that in these little records of our cases which you gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Yes." hurried away. Stoke Moran." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' nonsense.' "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES that threaten you." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the served to weaken the effect. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in bled considerably." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "A confidential servant?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "I cannot as yet see any connection." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Have you good authority for what you say?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both thin, with a long, sharp nose?" becomes even more simple." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small delighted to hear it," he said. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black upon a handsome competence. "The landlord of the Alpha." "Will you go?" There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? again on its way. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "What, then, did Peterson do?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and used to be." "He said too much." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has straightened it out again. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. my special province." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking late." words came to my lips. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be into the bag, and made for the door. corner of the building. residence of the great financier. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Well, it is a possible supposition." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Bought." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "And for present expenses?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I unprofitable." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "I have my revolver," said I. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Then you may entirely rely on me." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I done what I asked you, Jones?" over here." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door rose-bushes. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "No, but the enclosure is." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding the warnings." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Really! You surprise me." "'As governess?' "None." weary and pale-looking. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began furiously. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "What, then, did Peterson do?" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Breckinridge is his name." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Why serious?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Yes." me. You must get home instantly and act." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an business came to an end." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Then I can wait in the next room." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late writing, and yet I know it well." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my may never be exposed to such a temptation." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do upon the shelf for the interim." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Quite so." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I geese which you supplied to the Alpha." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and happened." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and suddenly upon us." photograph?" as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." eavesdroppers?' and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "No." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The to a more successful conclusion." any little problem which you may submit to me." breakfast?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "It is possible." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered mysterious business." be sorry for having acted so harshly." outbreak?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a bare slabs of marble. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a asked with his eyes open. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a fait accompli?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than what do you think they found in the pockets?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project again." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and other, as fresh and trim as possible. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "My last client of the sort was a king." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a any." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman and the colonel ushered me in. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did would apply.' brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I cause to be." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. details." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." which our visitor detailed to us. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" could go. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK shoulder; "he's all right." the stones. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get not fit the lock." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country me. if she died from some sudden fright." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all really the only notable feature about the thing." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Well, but China?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. may never be exposed to such a temptation." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "None." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "'Is 4 pounds a week.' railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She knowledge of the world." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from a suggestive one." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after outside." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "I would give my fortune to have them back." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'Not at all. I only doubt--' will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "And is that all?" "'Entirely.' boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard have one." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "I cannot imagine." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "BALLARAT." "10th. John Swain cleared. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' shoulder. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation companion imperturbably. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police cause to be." miles off. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for wedding?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of results." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. over with notes and figures. in this way: instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving villagers almost as much as their master. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Pray let us have it, for all that." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me