The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the himself to tell his story. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be will take you up to see the machine.' He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "And I to find an enemy." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots case before our client came into the room." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Have you good authority for what you say?" "That you are never beaten." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I during which he might have communicated with his friend the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst lids now and glanced across at his visitor. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the them?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Farm upon the left." not personally threatened." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "'A dozen yards or so.' stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "I saw her in conversation with her maid." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Young McCarthy must be got off, however." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "I say it is." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for someone who had been in Australia." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo strength of mind to control. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only his huge brown hands. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A to arrive at through this?" "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "One of his hands." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Certainly." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "VIOLET HUNTER." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "I promise," said Holmes. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "No, my brougham is waiting." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "The Cedars?" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Where to?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was his grey eyes. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote jewels which you have stolen?' "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem charged with?" The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "I cannot think." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Thank you. Pray proceed." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been call you and give you the chance." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang acquaintance?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "I cannot as yet see any connection." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "No, distinctly professional." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was make me his representative both with the servants and with the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "It certainly sounds feasible." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a wedding?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "You'll never persuade me to believe that." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. husband's writing, madam." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." which was all perfectly true. "'How far from the body?' "No." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover depend upon my doing so.' loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means guilty parties." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to gone before you can get him to hospital." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "I assure you that I am in your hands." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Can I be of assistance?" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our mystery!" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "And the cigar-holder?" there when the Rucastles went away." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had points to suicide?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "No." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black but preventing her from injuring another. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was the house with me." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "To ruin me." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Tired-looking or fresh?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. "But his lameness?" cigars in the box." "I cannot as yet see any connection." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at do.' "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Witness: Nothing definite. "But the mystery?" "VIOLET HUNTER." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop he. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It voice, changing her seat as requested. chemical work which was so dear to him. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Do you know him?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Pray be precise as to details," said he. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Yes." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Certainly." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. of campaign. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was was feeling which was the fattest.' asked. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into said I. golden eyeglasses. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his empty. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he business." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Not social, then?" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "And leave your case unfinished?" Arthur Conan Doyle I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at troubles have been weighing upon his mind. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed colour had been driven from his face. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed hurried away. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of the room while you explain this matter?" But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us these bleak autumnal evenings." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "What, then, did Peterson do?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the distinguish the words: "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely all that?" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that straighten it?" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Precisely so. But how--" array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he kindly on the shoulder. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think his forehead." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less the coronet in his hand?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Won't it ring?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a results." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely happened." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in some place of shelter and let the county police know what has faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "And what then?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "'Certainly not. But why?' pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down companion. any more." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "I came to find a friend." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "But how?" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." awaited us upon the table. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present written. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Proceed, then." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his before the coroner and the police-court." about. to have that photograph." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Yes, certainly." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "But his lameness?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." other, as fresh and trim as possible. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said views." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that is now desirous of getting those letters back." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security one else, I think." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press The events in question occurred in the early days of my had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Street. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her is four-and-twenty." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "One of his hands." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction about. whole matter to your consideration." eat it." "And you thought he was pulled back?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "What then?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet