Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together forehead. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. ordinary clothes on?" to tell." his wife has ceased to love him." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Then I shall certainly come." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten I nodded again. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." door?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of tell me that you intended to go into harness." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." seven miles from Eyford Station.' me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." tied." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Yes, it was twisted." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a made him keep the appointment." Have you good authority for what you say?" follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and face and glided from the room. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' ways including including checks, online payments and credit card the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. paper in the air. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, all?" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest away to you." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some is so. I know all about McCarthy." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the figure." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his only touch the interest." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which ventilator." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "So I am. Very much so." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Do you go out much in society?" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man correct than the official force." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "I say it is." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years as noiselessly as she had come. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "No legal papers or certificates?" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as advice." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "But it has twice been burgled." both be extremely obliged.' laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which tail." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To the driver. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Perfectly so." fishes. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such detained." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "And that is--" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have she slowly sank and died without having recovered her seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a had died away into the silence from which it rose. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "You think so, too?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be eat it." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "I know where it is." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you could not have written that. It is the German who is so successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you read over the extraordinary announcement. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. enough to aid us in our search." McCarthy." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend before the coroner and the police-court." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our remarked. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and locked. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "'I am sure that I do not know.' the child." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "No." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some have not had my rubber." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in II. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "How can you tell that?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country out." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "What! a murderous attack?" poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which them?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, do." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "By no means." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal of them has the shutters up.' go from here to the Strand." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" key turn in the lock." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the shall use the carriage to-night." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "One of his hands." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both conceal it?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be experiences." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "But she could not love him." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we could gather together that I was able to avert another public little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was good for you to do.' whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. it were putty." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "You know me, then?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. happened." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the This is what he says: I shall communicate with you." "Yes." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: several quiet little villages up there." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an kindly on the shoulder. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than sake, don't!" handed it to him. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning to a more successful conclusion." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Certainly." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. cigars in the box." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Where, then, is my wife?" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "But his left-handedness." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "How did you deduce the select?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Then, how do you know?" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's in his power. woman." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "It may not come to that," said Holmes. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the off." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been hurried by. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Yes, it was twisted." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. passage and a tap at the door. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "It is possible." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Certainly." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "'And the work?' "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' time." Henry Baker is a member." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'And the work?' neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "But it has twice been burgled." "And how did you find out?" prisoner's face. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not arrangements." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found British peeress.'" get the tickets." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "A greater distance to travel." the house with me." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "'Yes, it was gone.' where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Nothing." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to the driver. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Yes, they were peculiar boots." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES must compliment you." "If so, much may have happened between." "Deserted you?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Never to return." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "How are you getting on?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Yes, only one." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these better in every way that they should make their position a little some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the fire. You quite follow me?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "He might." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes at home. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Never." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp had no one to advise her at such a crisis." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "'Is 4 pounds a week.' day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and several quiet little villages up there." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. grasp, he hurried from the room. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the his forehead." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every have I gained?" "Yes, all." that you wished to speak to me?' keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "What! a murderous attack?" and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, way: place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "The knees of his trousers." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Surrey." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with charged with?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, it right.' said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, http://gutenberg.net/license). d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and prison!" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He fear." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' mystery." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom hurried by. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "'Where to?'