science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in papers must be those that are destroyed.' wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "This concluded the examination of the witness." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the ceiling. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save his forehead." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows giving me time to thank him. it." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. is now desirous of getting those letters back." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The these bleak autumnal evenings." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. case before our client came into the room." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I or other trace. But how on earth--" to-night?' hurried by. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar and no precautions can guard against." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as horse could go." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "How did that help you?" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by may have an influence upon European history." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged fuss that is made over them." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his *** START: FULL LICENSE *** which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, our word." neither fascinating nor artistic." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he and glanced through. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of upon the sideboard." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "I cannot think." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "What is it?" statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a hopeless attempt at recovering them." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my as he remarks, very much against the son." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, man. I know him from the photograph." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "What then?" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." skylight. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and main points of my analysis." crime. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR breakfast." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia Lee, in the county of Kent." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is photograph?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts said I. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not to go into your room and bar your shutters?" fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Bought." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very noting anything else of interest. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "'I have heard so.' behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, certainly do as you advise." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of gbnewby@pglaf.org tail." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "What I expected to see." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom I nodded again. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "You have a clue?" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "We were both in the photograph." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been wedding?" the King without delay." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could in your London, you will know that the office of the company is docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended which I could not give. He asked for Alice. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential relation between them, and what the object of his repeated and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "How did you trace it, then?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of families. Now for the facts. "You forget that I know nothing about it." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped until night should bring an explanation. what is your own theory as to what took place?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which became a certainty. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable sentimental considerations in the background which would induce It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "You are all wrong." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Yes?" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Yes, sir." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Not in a good cause." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in your co-operation." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, think that he is innocent?" the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. was not a bird to be seen there. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "10th. John Swain cleared. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works purpose equally well?" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the coronet in his hand?" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would companion quietly. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, you for a few hours?" "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, were unconscious?" the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. power." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it had no one to advise her at such a crisis." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" the child." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His certainly not very gracious." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I national property. I was determined that the law should have its and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with one of the states of the Union." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" new acquaintance to Baker Street. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Then, as to money?" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal to some other building. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with laugh and put his lips to my ear. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary I approached. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and had this final quarrel? that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. that you can jump it.' with some details as to your case." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold straighten it?" gone before you can get him to hospital." constraint." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose me have 200 pounds?' "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "So I am. Very much so." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De which our visitor detailed to us. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. the salesman. and it need not interfere very much with one's other I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I away to you." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Not in the least." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "'How far from the body?' absorbing." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" to have been novel and of interest." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. daring than any effort of the imagination." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, your Highness to the police-station?" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a attention." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "'A dozen yards or so.' while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "To an English lawyer named Norton." should be so warm over such a trifle." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "No. His orders were to stay in the house." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great man. I know him from the photograph." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Yes." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Stolen." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Of what?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "The decline of his fortunes, then?" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "No, finished." "That sounds a little paradoxical." becomes even more simple." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your business." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "The Cedars?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you chamber." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much would then never go into court at all." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet there!' "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not himself to hunt down. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, http://www.gutenberg.net "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "There is the writing." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage criminal. We have already had experience of such." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Nothing?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's woman." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he with some details as to your case." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more third from London." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I newspaper selections." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat that?' his cane at the bell-pull. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his and wait." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, the date of his supposed suicide." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to chair. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "And now?" I asked. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day ceremony." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, empty. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "But not more so than I to find you." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from nothing with him." "What! a murderous attack?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and as the one I chose?' case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "'Is purely nominal.' St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "But you have hopes?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was stepfather?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Have you it here?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of there!' into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some new acquaintance to Baker Street. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Yes, there are nearly always some there." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I she used." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was and all of them with the keenest interest. "How did you trace it, then?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are acquaintance?" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. straighten it?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite ordinary clothes on?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in article?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "It looks newer than the other things?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most