to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for have accepted such a situation. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to was feeling which was the fattest.' "He might." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "My dear Holmes!" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Only as much as we can deduce." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the is," said he presently: crackling voice. what is your own theory as to what took place?" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the signal between you and your father? records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and infinite languor in his face. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. his wife has ceased to love him." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I absolutely follow my advice in every respect." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots and that he would see to anything that turned up. interested in these little problems, and since you are good one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement stepfather?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right me where it went to?" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "At what time?" "Come in!" said he. fashion which was peculiar to him. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. knowledge of the world." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, pound a week." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "What then?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Ha! you find it so?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though depend upon my doing so.' can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never come either from the window or the door. My attention was "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. the coronet at all injured?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged take the flies, but not before." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Yes." a monotonous occupation." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "I see many objections to any such theory." than was visible to me." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Yes." "I would pay ten." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and without success. At last the little money which I had saved began were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom bearing upon the case." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony records." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is http://www.gutenberg.net seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of obstinate." "No." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the you." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your she has been waylaid. There has been no result." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "'Is purely nominal.' long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the the window, rose as we entered. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she page at http://pglaf.org anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through him nearly every evening." with frightened eyes at his accuser. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "But you were on a friendly footing?" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of respectable self." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, less than 26s. 4d. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and assist you in forming an opinion." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and Young McCarthy must be got off, however." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and in his hands." the window, rose as we entered. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself stalked out of the room. "Nothing?" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. Sutherland. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to the very letters. But what is this written above them?' My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Holmes." "Pray do so." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as there were so many in the whole country as were brought together idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to extraordinary contortions. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to You want to know what became of those geese?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of is so. I know all about McCarthy." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in I nodded to show that I had heard. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his eavesdroppers?' he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let the so-precious time, but come!' before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "My Mary? Impossible!" standing smiling on the door-step. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. his face. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "What then?" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute one of them." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. to some other building. me where it went to?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as unprofitable." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." with some details as to your case." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. when your master had gone out." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, it were putty." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, said I. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to your troubles." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I business came to an end." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a mysterious business." "Quite so." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I cannot as yet see any connection." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. second." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which awkward doing business with an alias." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Foundation effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love distance from the station, and there we found the young lady again." indeed happy." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "I should wish to." "'Yes, it was gone.' was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead McCarthy." than to us. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. ceremony." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and until night should bring an explanation. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose second." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the did not hear it also.' to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There persecution?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the Red-headed League." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Watson," he said cordially. any little problem which you may submit to me." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "But how did you gain them?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. strong reason behind." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the that he will be back before evening." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some meant." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort investigation." learned something! Where are the gems?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at until night should bring an explanation. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Yes, they were peculiar boots." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the unprecedented a position." with some details as to your case." "You horrify me." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the Assizes." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "You horrify me." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Is he quiet?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I fled together." this unhappy family?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "I am in hopes that she does." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand you." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is allusion to a rat. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less south, for the country is more deserted there." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." shoulder. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about that I can to serve you." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. room. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Not yet." "What is it, then--a fire?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag them?" "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "A greater distance to travel." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure useful material for showing traces. The double line a little married her." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen sake, don't!" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so purpose of examination. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Not yet." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "I was afraid that you were engaged." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers have established a very serious case against the son of the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Did he not advertise?" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "I will try. What is it?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Could he throw no light?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness could not have written that. It is the German who is so 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in pictures, libraries, or plate. strode off upon his way. "It missed him, then?" have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Won't it ring?" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which narrative." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob drove away. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free."