"There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and papers." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Where did he live, then?" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey only touch the interest." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." during which he might have communicated with his friend the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a hand, madam?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the peculiar to him. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "I have hopes." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Precisely so. But how--" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow existence." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at carriage. It was a chestnut." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then call you and give you the chance." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in the station." the roots. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one I think that I could be of assistance to you." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It http://gutenberg.net/license). "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be tail." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and bare slabs of marble. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." crowd. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." allusion to a rat. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of will find little credit to be gained out of this case." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the problems help me to do so." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you photograph a cabinet?" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until your own bird, so if you wish--" the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "It is possible." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that to surprise her." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, it." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Come in!" said Holmes. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "What is it?" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Texas, I think." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I sofa. This way, please!" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low vanished into the darkness. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Certainly." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Henry Baker is a member." closing the door. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the pressing in one house as in another. "'It is locked up,' I answered. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "What!" he roared. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "On your arm?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is remarked. mystery." said he. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and in my life." "You were travelling in the States?" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "A confidential servant?" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp London for the present?" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a seven miles from Eyford Station.' and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. tear off another piece?' "And leave your case unfinished?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side in him." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich without success. At last the little money which I had saved began and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until bearing upon the case." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in directors, with the result that you have seen." written. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to the coroner come to?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you kindly on the shoulder. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I the King without delay." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears see me here to avoid scandal." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That your bag." closing the door. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "I have come for advice." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an back alive. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said amused." carpenter." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were in the dead of the night?' Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with never will be, entirely cleared up. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Yes, it was twisted." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Could he throw no light?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary a good hundred miles off by now." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think side. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Yes, there are nearly always some there." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove over with notes and figures. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "'In my own bureau.' running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Well?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and on in his house." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Then I am your man." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he to arrive at through this?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "That also I could fathom." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton him nearly every evening." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "But you were on a friendly footing?" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little him to be an active member of the medical profession." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but that I can to serve you." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. upon a handsome competence. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in details." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." you for a few hours?" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the followed. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Yes, it would be as well." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "'Yes, sir.' again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. place of silver." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "No, but the enclosure is." beg that you will break it off." I leave." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure behind me. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Then the page we have seen--" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." place of silver." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "No, I had a dozen." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Do you know him?" conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in searched, without anything being found which could incriminate it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his what I may call a really hard day's work." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock simple cases which are so extremely difficult." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in cigar and let me expound." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Yes, that is the Crown." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the have an American origin." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of question. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite again before evening." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a read it out to me." "And how?" "Yes, he did." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter wife's character?" present." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," comes from the middle window." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Certainly." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no purpose of examination. "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. the running down." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, from you?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his most interesting one." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no you in yours." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, conclusions. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very papers must be those that are destroyed.' jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Very. But will he see it?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Nothing?" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. people don't know." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, here." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy the house with me." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "My dear Holmes!" companion. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they away into the river." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding lost nothing by them." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction