not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he promised to bring home. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at following enigmatical notices: Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, as he folded up the epistle. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being into the room. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right in my life." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "No, I think that I'll take it." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "BALLARAT." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram that the gas is not laid on in his house?" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate me. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' the nursery. "How did you deduce the select?" paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." written, and locked the door of the office after me. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' enough to aid us in our search." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "What do you make of that, Watson?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "There is the writing." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Yes, from Horsham." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of appeal." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. entirely lost his self-respect." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very States. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that delirious. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in taking in every detail of the apartment. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "In which, sir?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns opened the door, and slipped through. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is the stable lane now." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. you understand?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to speckled band?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You you in your example." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I McCarthy's innocence. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. key turn in the lock." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how in him." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Was the window open?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Is he quiet?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we closely." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the warnings." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The James Windibank. Voilà tout!" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever than to us. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his redistribution. long narrative. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man forebodings. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" looking up at the numbers of the houses." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about it." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a of the one which your family is now devouring." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Henry Baker is a member." appeared upon the scene." room?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Because he was handy and would come cheap." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin away into the river." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Yes, that is the Crown." to arrive at through this?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black writers could invent nothing more crude." "Then he might have called to you?" "My dear Holmes!" closing the door. his face which made him a very different person to the round, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to Countess of Morcar's?" rat could hardly pass through." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. the devil!" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Where did you address your letters, then?" have been better. It is all right." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, there in twenty minutes." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway exactly what you advise." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' The King stared at him in amazement. "Did you observe the colour?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Your French gold?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My it with his own hands." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "I am to be neutral?" "But how?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless footfalls from the street. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Yes." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly sake, don't!" "Pray let us have it, for all that." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), woven round him. "And now?" I asked. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Dr. Gregory B. Newby the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As entirely lost his self-respect." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "What office?" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you come either from the window or the door. My attention was c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this you?' know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Seven!" I answered. "Nothing?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "'What, the red-headed man?' "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. his wife has ceased to love him." laugh and put his lips to my ear. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil little adventures." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon there in twenty minutes." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the matter." "You saw the ventilator, too?" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of the very morning of the wedding." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his which was all perfectly true. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Then I do not see the point." your co-operation." will he say when he returns?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards emerged. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "That is unusual in a young girl." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a John Swain, of St. Augustine. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "'Very good.' nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "And how have you succeeded?" "Seven!" I answered. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who passage and a tap at the door. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Did your wife hear all this?" that I am arrested." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a read it out to me." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and copied or distributed: copied or distributed: not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we were new raised from a basin. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "In San Francisco, a year ago." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our which our visitor detailed to us. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a have an American origin." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went colonel looking down at me. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "The decline of his fortunes, then?" opened a pocket-book and took out a note. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and away into the river." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow burst out into a roar of laughter. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at way: rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of writers could invent nothing more crude." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." to Leatherhead. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do tapping his fingers upon the table. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away if I call to-morrow?" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and past. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four standing smiling on the door-step. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. locked. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to best detective that ever lived. to have that photograph." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "And what then?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can address. "Imitated." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in 1.E.9. with her." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." fait accompli?" unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Holmes rather sternly. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "The Cedars?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." drove away. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy recover the gem." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I will not take me long to tell. suddenly upon us." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a could not account in any way for the presence of the missing it. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a these bleak autumnal evenings." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of fluttered off among the others. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "'And what are they worth?' I asked. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not the salesman. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "And I to find an enemy." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and of this gang." the best of training." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while fled together." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "And how have you succeeded?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Thank you. Pray proceed." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature and inquire as to the address." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I burst into a hearty fit of laughter. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "His face fell immediately. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long call you and give you the chance." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I you?' square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Stolen." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Nothing." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Indeed! Whose, then?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "He said too much." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Yes, that is the Crown."