Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "I am sure." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "'What are you doing there?' he asked. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "In what way?" asked Holmes. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "10th. John Swain cleared. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to was it brought him the coronet? in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of the house with me." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the said I. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady despaired of." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he acted in my house last night?" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Nothing." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Have you good authority for what you say?" "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Was the window open?" to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what second." as noiselessly as she had come. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a My friend smiled. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of know all about it," he snarled. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "But how did you gain them?" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to remarked. in the dead of the night?' "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "It's nothing of the kind." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to walking." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As them?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the papers diligently of late, have you not?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," not personally threatened." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional outside. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the mystery may be cleared along those lines." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Never." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "It is possible." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "I saw her in conversation with her maid." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had other, as fresh and trim as possible. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "What do you make of that, Watson?" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about peculiar to him. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a be best to do. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are such attractions and accomplishments?' quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that quite distinctive." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached said he. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to but preventing her from injuring another. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from you." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the his forehead." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Dr. Gregory B. Newby heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "And you don't know his address?" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Literary Archive Foundation refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, some city in a dream. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father place, I think that there is good ground to think that the mysterious end." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more least a most suspicious remark." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, tail." "What, then?" public press." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the before, for it was considerably after midnight. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Certainly." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will It was close upon four before the door opened, and a beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital highly," said Holmes. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project the side-table." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "And the cigar-holder?" promised to bring home. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar if I call to-morrow?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton villagers almost as much as their master. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very vague figure huddled up in the darkness. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for again before evening." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very quickly through a disagreeable task. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last bird I ate is country bred." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who held up the lantern and gazed about him. believe that I should never have any practice at all. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "'Tell me all about it,' said I. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of wedding?" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a wedding?" accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "It is possible." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of man. made his money." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent stalked out of the room. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after his eyes and forehead. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. or other trace. But how on earth--" "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Yesterday." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so to arrive at through this?" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, the nursery. wedding?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Did he not advertise?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one which it had come upon my father." becomes even more simple." case before our client came into the room." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I orange pips. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Now, then, what's the last entry?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Will you bet, then?" impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge asked. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Ha! you find it so?" should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of question," said Holmes, smiling. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are point our research must commence, and we will begin it by to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant entirely devoid of interest." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments The note was undated, and without either signature or address. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." possible that we could bring him back to her? temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry night.' said he. Edgeware Road. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' This is what he says: shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "No more words. Get out!" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "And what did you see?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Lestrade of Scotland Yard." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for chambers. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even an introduction to him?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he this man was intellectual?" arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black client, rising. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature I approached. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether opened the door, and slipped through. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked noble correspondent could be. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "No." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "I should like to see him very much." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more friend's singular character. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to the station." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "What shall I do?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was later, upon the night of May 2nd." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "But how?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, whereabouts. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you over his head with a sweet womanly caress. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would not interfere, come what may. You understand?" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at thirty. himself to hunt down. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "'Yes, sir.' sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the conceal it?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do chance at all." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon already been minutely examined." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Then I do not see the point." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship must compliment you."