thin legs towards the fire. in a friendly supper." "I am still in the dark." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he out of this horrible affair." you understand?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been acquaintance?" Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into or other trace. But how on earth--" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Eh? What was that?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. article?" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried presented which may be striking and bizarre without being to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the the devil!" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six gone. "But of what society?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's to surprise her." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "You are hungry," I remarked. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full him!" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal fuss that is made over them." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all which our visitor detailed to us. "And how have you succeeded?" "Yes." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to that he will be back before evening." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his experiences." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I with her." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step was it brought him the coronet? fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "How often?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Yes." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go hour?' case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, foresight and the moral retrogression?" extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Yes?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret certainly do as you advise." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with good-night and bustled off upon her way. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at if I call to-morrow?" dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of himself. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "How long did she speak to this Alice?" would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. arrangements." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was bedroom door." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Then, as to money?" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out your equipment. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual tail." maid will bring up your coffee." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been within hail.' "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a rat could hardly pass through." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was showing my impatience. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Just look it up, then." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "None." trying to your nerves." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had I held the little printed slip to the light. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! interested in these little problems, and since you are good encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate think that any burglar could have done. "Her father is very rich?" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The in a friendly supper." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "A greater distance to travel." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' of receipt of the work. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, did not hear it also.' "What do you mean?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found o'clock is it?" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to friend's singular character. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Your French gold?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Come in!" said Holmes. "It was an hour's good drive." during that time.' in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the strong reason behind." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "But who is he?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Her father is very rich?" his face. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "The vanishing of the lady." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but arms and began to sob in a high treble key. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Which are?" breakfast." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "The knees of his trousers." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and right! Sit down and let us talk it over." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that place no limit on the sum I may draw." if only as a check to my own memory." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is cheerful." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case anything to a woman, for she would have her way." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my your billet.' "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had His smile broadened. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained breakfast and whispered something to her husband. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make she might be summoned. "But you were on a friendly footing?" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "It looks newer than the other things?" remarked. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "But the mystery?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "I do." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the me upon any point which I do not make clear." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, ago." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Nothing." from you?" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady daring than any effort of the imagination." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to asked. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not her also." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "But how will you look?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was name is different." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. address. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his of." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" have accepted such a situation. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "But you would not advise me to refuse?" have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all companion imperturbably. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for late." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend little adventures." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret case before our client came into the room." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "It came here." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is corner of the building. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who man. works. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Foundation garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he there." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My in a friendly supper." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "She showed me, as I told you she would." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "And your father? Did you tell him?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no when you have done it." her also." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, the house with me." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "You have but to name it." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have of receipt of the work. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a way: cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "So I heard. You have him here?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal of them has the shutters up.' really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "And now?" He raised his hand. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "I have hopes." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard heavy and sharp instrument." "'What do you call purely nominal?' we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time third from London." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found of the way of danger. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Heh?' to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The a monotonous occupation." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the friend's singular character. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." daring than any effort of the imagination." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a breakfast." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "But not more so than I to find you." "No, finished." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth bearing upon the case." sparkled upon his finger. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of the loss of it. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking you." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the father's place of business?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "But how could you guess what the motive was?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry them, and came down just as you departed. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled own family. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "But he might be a bachelor." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "'What then?' I asked. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each shaken than I had ever seen him. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "You saw the ventilator, too?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Not social, then?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the