of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently down in his armchair and closing his eyes. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "I guessed as much." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This upon the sideboard." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons you." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "And you thought he was pulled back?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian rooms." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we official police." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, that threaten you." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when him." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. to have that photograph." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire tail." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could I think that I could be of assistance to you." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Indeed! Whose, then?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main present." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "To an English lawyer named Norton." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "But his left-handedness." conclusions. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of man. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "'I have already given you my word.' "'Ten to two.' table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very depend upon my doing so.' "They are typewritten," I remarked. as the one I chose?' "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora speckled band?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both comes from the middle window." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" intrusion of other matters." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "No. His orders were to stay in the house." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "That also I could fathom." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "It may not come to that," said Holmes. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Did your wife hear all this?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "And your father? Did you tell him?" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "To an end?" attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you said he. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "'Stolen!' he cried. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "He slept on the premises." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Yes." "You think that he is dead?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. the devil!" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "No." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Why did you beat the pavement?" hopeless attempt at recovering them." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was threw himself down with his face to the pillow. returning from some small jollification and was making his way "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some have established a very serious case against the son of the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and returned to France?" II. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair me where it went to?" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold cigar and let me expound." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided details." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Then he might have called to you?" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Then I am your man." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Was she in good spirits?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "No." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an even of instruction." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to washing it down with a long draught of water. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very it." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All married her." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was have accepted such a situation. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "I have solved it." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Did you become engaged then?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the o'clock is it?" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "It missed him, then?" It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between charged with?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which ashen face. "'In my own bureau.' As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you charged with?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will definite end. upon the sideboard." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Sutherland. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "And how have you succeeded?" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "When did she vanish, then?" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and friend's singular character. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Was he the only applicant?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "You have but to name it." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of means taking possession of that which another person has a prior reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "But it has twice been burgled." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "The Coroner: What do you mean? it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Yes. He waved his hands." the matter." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all whereabouts. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be highroad, where all traces were lost. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the chance at all." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "It was an hour's good drive." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from his wife has ceased to love him." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, trifles." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "And leave your case unfinished?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." heavily into it. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was directors, with the result that you have seen." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Oh, yes, easily." it. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a is so. I know all about McCarthy." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell hour?' this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away straightened it out again. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping ashen face. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Your presence might be invaluable." envelope. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security this as likely?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and with frightened eyes at his accuser. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: triumphant cloud from his cigarette. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Yes, that is the Crown." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "I will, Miss Turner." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Yes." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a head. So long, then!" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "It is very clear." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with prove to be little relation between the different incidents of stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who works. See paragraph 1.E below. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it down. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "But you can know nothing of this?" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing more solid." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up like gravel from a pit.' "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "And Irene Adler?" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Yes, but only for you and me." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and it." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very The note was undated, and without either signature or address. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Have you it here?" "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Witness: It was. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "He said that you could solve anything." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well carriage. It was a chestnut." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the me what he had done with the three missing stones. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "It was an hour's good drive." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Tired-looking or fresh?" standing smiling on the door-step. "'Then let me do so?' that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that more solid." until night should bring an explanation. secret." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My photograph a cabinet?" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching what do you think they found in the pockets?" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking as yours." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. know what is wrong with it.' air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon opened the door, and slipped through. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but hard-headed British jury." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious in darkness. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." chill to my heart. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "But you were on a friendly footing?" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' on re-entering her father's house?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had unprecedented a position." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe coat-tails." call you and give you the chance." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and