helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "A client, then?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and telegram would bring me down to your help." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is may have an influence upon European history." that you wished to speak to me?' following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Why? What do you mean?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "What do you mean?" I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped I held the little printed slip to the light. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not round and wave him away like that.' Sutherland. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman all?" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. not, dad?" she asked. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Have you her photograph?" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he nights." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" get her out of the way." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for meant it for the best. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "My last client of the sort was a king." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged my former friend and companion. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Gutenberg-tm License. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong my special province." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 what is your own theory as to what took place?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a villagers almost as much as their master. photograph a cabinet?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our wedding?" quite distinctive." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "How long did she speak to this Alice?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Then he might have called to you?" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic dead, shall be safe with us." "And sit in the dark?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I hour." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." bearing upon the case." any more." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on the south-west, I see." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" ceremony." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of Holmes' face clouded over. "Seven!" I answered. which we had just quitted. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "'Never.' to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face tell him that I know him to be innocent." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning pictures, libraries, or plate. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Tired-looking or fresh?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were she might be summoned. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest case before our client came into the room." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love The police have openly confessed that they can at present make them?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I tail." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang The police have openly confessed that they can at present make and the whole place is in a blaze." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, excitement. his fortune, and I went back to pa. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. must compliment you." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the have had none more fantastic than this." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Thank you. Pray proceed." galvanised. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a dear old homesteads?" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. least a fellow-countryman. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Perfectly so." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "And from a noble client?" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black infinite languor in his face. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" dramatic, in fact." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that whereabouts. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than down. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story of your young ladies.' "It certainly sounds feasible." "You have the photograph?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." were new raised from a basin. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss feature." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the you." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. appointment with me for six o'clock?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, handed it to him. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Did he not advertise?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm touch that coronet?' with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It one else, I think." and inquire as to the address." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Precisely." some terrible trap for her." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "What office?" "And that is--" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "The rest you will leave in our hands." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the John Swain, of St. Augustine. who was a member of your goose club." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace details should find their way into the papers. Inspector attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" how narrow had been my escape. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Arthur Conan Doyle there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless towards the blaze. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Not yet." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT opened a pocket-book and took out a note. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Murdered?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Absolutely none." "Oh, yes, easily." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "It was an hour's good drive." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. telegram would bring me down to your help." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending himself in a perplexing position. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though attention." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Then you may entirely rely on me." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Well." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I with you alone." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did knowledge of the world." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "My opinion is in no way altered." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine held up the lantern and gazed about him. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. your billet.' with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "No bad?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet enter into my head. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending note?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "It is very kind of you." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking of Fenchurch Street." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue foresight and the moral retrogression?" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who spark where all is dark to me." at home. "What is it?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "I shall be delighted." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE away in different directions, and I went off to make my own somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his the so-precious time, but come!' and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "'And the work?' "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of brandy and water within his reach. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "I think that it is very probable." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Where did you address your letters, then?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, upon the shelf for the interim." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be answered with a sidelong glance. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most Holmes rather sternly. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall intrusion of other matters." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four annoyance, but no jest. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw been." about. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "You are hungry," I remarked. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of