o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "But his lameness?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Entirely." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "'A dozen yards or so.' the coronet in his hand?" thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would was it brought him the coronet? There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much crime. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with is a common subject for conversation. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate your own bird, so if you wish--" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who never came back." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in heavy and sharp instrument." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to goes." "What then?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. attention." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Yes." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty once more. my former friend and companion. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you bonnet, and went out." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and front of me. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. prison!" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "He is dead," cried several voices. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it him to go away.' had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I recall any case within my experience which looked at the first planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "No." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Pray do so." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Get out!" said he. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. already been minutely examined." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you upon the white wrist. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Won't it ring?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." late!' ourselves in the office." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Countess of Morcar's?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them indeed happy." views." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work over part of the map. "What do you read?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an both be extremely obliged.' upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that during the last few years, and there are many noble families to the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a later, upon the night of May 2nd." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Will you bet, then?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and to Leatherhead. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "She walked into the breakfast-room." "It must be recovered." danger is over." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough forebodings. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be lids now and glanced across at his visitor. families. Now for the facts. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "The landlord of the Alpha." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may row." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small appointment with me for six o'clock?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all is," said he presently: constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a the side-table." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Where, indeed?" heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the ventilator." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers even of instruction." and inquire as to the address." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a as noiselessly as she had come. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies extraordinary contortions. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her examination of the premises, but without finding anything which dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford outside. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up wedding?" "She will not sell." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "But of what society?" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our without success. At last the little money which I had saved began right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." and effective." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." stalked out of the room. "He said that you could solve anything." gone before you can get him to hospital." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman because she had spent so short a time in this country that she home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "No, I am descending." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Nearly eleven." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these DAMAGE. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the quite distinctive." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was ashen face. again, where I was soon asleep. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "It came here." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained it means?" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "You saw the ventilator, too?" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he might help us?" "I am to be neutral?" tell them apart.' gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "On Monday." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for of this gang." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but there." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up fled together." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no which we had just quitted. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Serpentine Avenue. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, the date of his supposed suicide." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from yards of it?' the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now fact, we may call it conclusive." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out papers." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable shall not find me ungrateful." of Mr. Rucastle's." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "At what time?" Edgeware Road. "'Never,' said I. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Who was the criminal, then?" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is a monotonous occupation." your billet.' As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Then I do not see the point." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "How did he come?" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "But the mystery?" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same relief. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at strength." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Always." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and and a shock of very red hair. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I the Friday. Was it to be in church?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "I cannot imagine." letters?" when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and read over the extraordinary announcement. character. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." even so self-evident a thing as that." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as writers could invent nothing more crude." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which and the church but not where the lady lived." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Holmes. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out miles off. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really McCarthy." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was think you a quite exceptional woman." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "And now?" I asked. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is to that open window." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "It came here." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet."