had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. your troubles." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: John Swain, of St. Augustine. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and go from here to the Strand." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "How did you deduce the select?" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. and looked back. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "What then?" was lame." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite the devil!" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room both be extremely obliged.' "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and second." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "'Ample.' utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "And how did you verify them?" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "'Yes, sir.' near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "I cannot imagine." mysterious business." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "That also I could fathom." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his might help us?" to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt at a side door. it with his own hands." Holmes' thin, eager face. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was and looked back. The King stared at him in amazement. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "But to whom?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Stolen, then." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** was shining brightly. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage which we had just quitted. papers on the sundial.'" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." crackling voice. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Very murderous indeed." the child." mystery!" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and of Fenchurch Street." "Nothing." "And that is--" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who neither fascinating nor artistic." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. even so self-evident a thing as that." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Well?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." shall not find me ungrateful." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to lumber-room." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Yes." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it fled together." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which down. Again Holmes raved in the air. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "'Ten to two.' finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "I beg pardon." "My last client of the sort was a king." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in way in everything. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Sutherland?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "'And the work?' attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he awkward doing business with an alias." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "I will try. What is it?" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. as he folded up the epistle. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "About a month then." and that he would see to anything that turned up. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than that threaten you." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Oh, fresh and glossy." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "I answered that I had not. "That also I could fathom." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "In the cells." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are upon the shelf for the interim." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "'How far from the body?' Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "No, I had a dozen." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the himself to hunt down. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business questionable one." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door of the way of danger. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and are, and they are waiting for us." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, other means.' three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Certainly." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Only as much as we can deduce." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "What! a murderous attack?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "So I am. Very much so." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "But not more so than I to find you." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Do you go out much in society?" "I answered that I had not. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "I say that I have solved it." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "9th. McCauley cleared. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, him." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Then, how do you know?" cheerful." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the people don't know." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham touch that coronet?' will he say when he returns?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back man. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the upon a handsome competence. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to business at Coburg Square is serious." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Very truly yours, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would have established a very serious case against the son of the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin been deceived." Clair, of Lee." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "What will you do, then?" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand bird I ate is country bred." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. arrested. You then--" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Where to?" there!' one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that weary and pale-looking. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of not fit the lock." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell come either from the window or the door. My attention was really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Which surely he restored to their owner?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. "And you thought he was pulled back?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with and looked back. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Then, how do you know?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "But you have hopes?" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit outside. felt the room to be a little close.' "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that ventilator." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "'I shall certainly be there.' "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she them?" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" not fit the lock." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "And on what day did he meet his death?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the him. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Chief Executive and Director corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Yes." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of the child." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Pray do so." sofa. This way, please!" respectable self." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much as yours." interests were the same as his." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over your most interesting statement." clang of the bell. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on daring than any effort of the imagination." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the your troubles." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." few hundred pounds.' he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting matter." exactly what you advise." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "When did she vanish, then?" down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." allusion to a rat. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation I was concerned in it." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Were they all fastened this morning?" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my of them has the shutters up.' "No, but the enclosure is." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door.