diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the DAMAGE. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." been." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much again on its way. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and not as remarkable as your advertisement." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was I nodded to show that I had heard. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it matter over." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of as he remarks, very much against the son." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of this poor creature." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so I am not easy in my mind about them." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly new acquaintance to Baker Street. "'There is a drive, then?' of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Precisely." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Yes." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Was the window open?" "Game for a morning drive?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices whole matter to your consideration." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "I was afraid that you were engaged." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "My private note-paper." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main could not have written that. It is the German who is so test if we have an answer to our advertisement." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Lee, in the county of Kent." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "No legal papers or certificates?" least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "What shall I do?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his just called myself is not exactly my own." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was have had none more fantastic than this." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the voice. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little heavily into it. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by call it cruel." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "'Quite sure, dad.' the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "What is it, then--a fire?" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely begin with, and I had not got mine yet." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "How on earth--" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of thirty. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful pictures, libraries, or plate. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. should be so warm over such a trifle." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "It is solved." extraordinary contortions. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock could not have written that. It is the German who is so an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is in the port of London." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. you came in." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Where, then, is my wife?" "Eh? What was that?" no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his chambers. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Have you her photograph?" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian acted in my house last night?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, forbidden door. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been It may be so in this case, also." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "You have but to name it." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had most interesting one." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. posted to-day." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for During two years I have had three consultations and one small shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his corner of the building. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Ample." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Holmes' face clouded over. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "I saw her in conversation with her maid." anything to do with the matter?" "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "My Mary? Impossible!" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he more solid." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." dramatic, in fact." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in before, for it was considerably after midnight. License. You must require such a user to return or was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can October 9, 1890. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "But not more so than I to find you." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all which we had just quitted. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "It was an hour's good drive." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Then I am your man." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am never will be, entirely cleared up. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your was keenly on my guard against him. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a went to the Alpha were town bred." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all upon an income of about 60 pounds." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Foundation that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Then you may be so with me." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is and prosperity to your house. Good-night." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Absolutely none." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the are, I think, all that we need." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Yes, it was twisted." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic were unconscious?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "And how did you find out?" and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is heavily into it. crowd. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is in him." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' three of the beryls in it, was missing. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Has he come with you to-night?" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you But Holmes shook his head gravely. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He existence." photograph?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House maid will bring up your coffee." IS business came to an end." as noiselessly as she had come. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. the room while you explain this matter?" "Precisely." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "When did she vanish, then?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was my friend's incisive reasoning. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the him nearly every evening." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Yes, sir." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in these bleak autumnal evenings." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the o'clock is it?" are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "And what then?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so there were one or two details which were new to me. But the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. narrative." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm he died? to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we I am not easy in my mind about them." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "My photograph." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "There is the writing." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. for securing the situation." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in with you alone." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." one else, I think." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set trifles." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible *** START: FULL LICENSE *** simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. least a most suspicious remark." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the his face. empty. is a common subject for conversation. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with humiliation."