copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but bare slabs of marble. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "'Yes, I promise.' prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the may have an influence upon European history." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Has he come with you to-night?" "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "The decline of his fortunes, then?" greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and the coronet in his hands?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and a room. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Never." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." have one." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and dates and names. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal about here speaks of his kindness to him." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced your equipment. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair think, you have already met." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "I was sure that I might rely on you." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Here?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "When did she vanish, then?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Where did you address your letters, then?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Holmes' face clouded over. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst business matters.' "I am sure." "'Yes, sir.' introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman ashen face. to that open window." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "It is very clear." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for said he, "my real name is James Ryder." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "You saw the ventilator, too?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Well, some hundreds of times." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "But she will refuse." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "At what time?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to ill-usage at the hands of fortune. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a already referred to. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "This concluded the examination of the witness." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you some terrible trap for her." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "I know where it is." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "How often?" "Quite so." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously locked. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection chance." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "You have compromised yourself seriously." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless certainly not very gracious." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. fait accompli?" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole who was a member of your goose club." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the husband's writing, madam." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "I am in hopes that she does." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." clang of the bell. "Pray let us have it, for all that." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, security.' premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well fait accompli?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when will he say when he returns?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "What have you done?" asked Holmes. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "But he might be a bachelor." gives a meaning to it." "I have hopes." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be point our research must commence, and we will begin it by leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the empty. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, call you and give you the chance." eavesdroppers?' however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning chambers. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "'What, the red-headed man?' kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a highly," said Holmes. of the vacancies.' "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do Countess of Morcar's?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over too. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "I have a cab outside." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Yes, I have one waiting." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste power." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as was not a bird to be seen there. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Where, indeed?" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when conclusions. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months light and attacked it." prisoner's face. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are absorbing." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "None." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it and put his glass in his pocket. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Where did he live, then?" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a status with the IRS. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. over with notes and figures. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of recover the gem." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the coronet in his hands?" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "'Never.' carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to What do you deduce from it?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "But I have heard all that you have heard." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that your own bird, so if you wish--" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in arrested. You then--" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held he died? of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there never came back." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage gbnewby@pglaf.org hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Bought." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss be sorry for having acted so harshly." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "You have compromised yourself seriously." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" where we are going." Dr. Gregory B. Newby *** START: FULL LICENSE *** a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Your French gold?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "This concluded the examination of the witness." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis himself. hour." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "'How far from the body?' look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Holmes' room. "You have carte blanche." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be to talk it over. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast leaning back in his chair. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of not within a twentieth part of the market price." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Of what day?" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became seen the man in the road." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when for securing the situation." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of weigh very heavily upon my conscience." gbnewby@pglaf.org which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am better in every way that they should make their position a little crackling voice. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after hair?' with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but nonsense.' and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "What do you make of that, Watson?" from the brougham. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case his eyes and forehead. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Well." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of their singular warning or token before them when starting upon papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Then I am your man." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a not interfere, come what may. You understand?" discontent upon his features. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any that you can jump it.' in this way: way in everything. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Perfectly so." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Did you observe the colour?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Can I be of assistance?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "What then?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and pity, because in other respects you would really have done very chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If