prove to be little relation between the different incidents of travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden with the outside air!" "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at room. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a business?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of eavesdroppers?' "Indeed! Whose, then?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was the driver. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "One of his hands." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him man. I know him from the photograph." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Where to?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "No, I think that I'll take it." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is noting anything else of interest. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' whether it answered to the description of any of their if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in the date of his supposed suicide." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I nonsense.' nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "He said that you could solve anything." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Then, as to money?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid manager. Foundation "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all giving me time to thank him. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "And you thought he was pulled back?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the laugh and put his lips to my ear. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of simple cases which are so extremely difficult." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "That you are never beaten." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had the devil!" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Where does the thing come from?' "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Yes." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Then I shall certainly come." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was the morning and make my own way in the world.' yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle there has been an enclosure here!" broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "It is solved." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Which are?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in pity, because in other respects you would really have done very within hail.' "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go shaken than I had ever seen him. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "I came to find a friend." "His face fell immediately. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Holmes rather sternly. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue if I call to-morrow?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." society." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which detective. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in to surprise her." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the gentleman's clothes. which we had just quitted. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar conceal it?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced generous with you in money matters.' "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "No bad?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Entirely." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Could he throw no light?" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" existence." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I unclasping of his long thin hands. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Yes, only one." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' congenial hunt. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "What of the rat, then?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Of Friday, June 19th." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not was used.' I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I use an arc-and-compass breastpin." strength in the others." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "What then?" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be golden eyeglasses. place no limit on the sum I may draw." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian excitement. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, purpose equally well?" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." sooner or later she must fall a victim. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely direction." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Thank you. And your address?" deduce something from that?" who was a member of your goose club." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should fatally injured? erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for one's self under obligations.' "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "I assure you that I am in your hands." the coronet at all injured?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "She told me to ask you." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "And why?" "Nothing?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Perhaps I have." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Project Gutenberg-tm works. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of congenial hunt. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood at my own good fortune. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, page at http://pglaf.org "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the telegram would bring me down to your help." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, never to learn it at all." Stoke Moran." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "And why?" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "And when will you call?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and certainly not very gracious." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, The police have openly confessed that they can at present make was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old October 9, 1890. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "No?" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it persecution?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our writers could invent nothing more crude." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." pictures, libraries, or plate. I nodded again. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Will you go?" vanished into the darkness. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face bird of prey. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "On the contrary, this is the right side." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied papers." "'A dozen yards or so.' thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions You can understand that this register and diary may implicate Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of fled together." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "My private note-paper." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, in the hope of finding them." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "What! Had he lost his wife?" office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in nice household for a young lady." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "No." residence of the great financier. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had works. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master matter over." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he yourselves in at night?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one present strange and interesting features that it is no easy facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each following enigmatical notices: fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of residence of the great financier. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "It is possible." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "You saw the ventilator, too?" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "About a month then." humiliation." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to see me here to avoid scandal." the station." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow God! What an exposure! What can I do?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. manager. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of asked. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small IS "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "I am about to be married." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I nonsense.' "The Cedars?" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "She told me to ask you." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but you found me to-night--and running through the front room she very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' roused himself from his reverie. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Again Holmes raved in the air. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still delirious. with her." "Married! When?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a conclusions. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "I don't say that. Perhaps." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, wedding?" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "It is very clear." intrusion of other matters." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going maid will bring up your coffee." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "'And what salary do you ask?' business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" mysterious business." strength in the others." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "You horrify me!" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "You forget that I know nothing about it." the dangers which encompass me." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and tell me that you intended to go into harness." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. four million human beings all jostling each other within the