this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went advice." whereabouts. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was What do you deduce from it?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "You were travelling in the States?" events, Mr. Windibank!" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her and no precautions can guard against." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "'Ten to two.' "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H could gather together that I was able to avert another public the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Yes, that is the Crown." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall colour had been driven from his face. "Did he not advertise?" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call new duties?' chemical work which was so dear to him. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Serpentine Avenue. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own a few minutes he said that it would be all right. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight locked." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. crime." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Yes, only one." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the running down." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, was already answered. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Then I can wait in the next room." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, orange pips. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not jewels which you have stolen?' country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Her father is very rich?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his where we are going." results." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and strode off upon his way. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "My private note-paper." me upon any point which I do not make clear." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the dead, shall be safe with us." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" have been better. It is all right." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "'Stolen!' he cried. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come there is a decided draught." was a lad." she might be summoned. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with have not had my rubber." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to *** START: FULL LICENSE *** were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I been shamefully used." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. here and I will read it to you: "Certainly." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' discontent upon his features. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Can I be of assistance?" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with anything to a woman, for she would have her way." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while photograph?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say singular points about the case. What did the police think of the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know or in danger--" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which woman." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "You will not go there first?" creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "It looks newer than the other things?" "I am in hopes that she does." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told least a fellow-countryman. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom that you wished to speak to me?' with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" your co-operation." envelope. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "And what did you learn from him?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly my friend's incisive reasoning. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared 1.E.9. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have little trying to do so much typewriting?" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. of a light. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, appeal." "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and furiously. not come at once?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Two days later this same performance was gone through under we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "And Irene Adler?" ready to-morrow?' 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal were new raised from a basin. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we stood on the top of it. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing in this way: "My own seal." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "I have my revolver," said I. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the station." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Well." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. and have this put in the evening papers." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Can I be of assistance?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can of it with the greatest attention. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged served to weaken the effect. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil any." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "We must sit without light. He would see it through the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the think you a quite exceptional woman." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard away into the river." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this in his power. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "'Very good.' "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with plantation.' precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project waste of energy." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look throat." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can You want to know what became of those geese?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." tell them apart.' explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "No, I had a dozen." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Were they all fastened this morning?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Perhaps I have." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." his fortune, and I went back to pa. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Which are?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "I cannot tell." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a indeed which he could not unravel. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." used to be." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "I beg pardon." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things his face. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked dead, shall be safe with us." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Nothing?" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has it right.' "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He felt?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good here and I will read it to you: even of instruction." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming What do you deduce from it?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so and laid it on the table. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, indeed which he could not unravel. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took *** START: FULL LICENSE *** was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen call for it in person on Monday morning.' present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably anything to do with the matter?" good for you to do.' "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Yes, it would be as well." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. forebodings. bedroom door." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps definite end. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Holmes." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Then, how do you know?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there yourselves in at night?" ashen face. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "And why?" his eyes and forehead. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as like that before?" himself to hunt down. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a matter." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the depend upon your compliance." "Absolutely none." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "That is easily got." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a