"It is possible." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his absorbing." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Breckinridge is his name." "Yes." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? have had none more fantastic than this." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the hard-headed British jury." again before evening." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Perhaps we may make them less so." there is a decided draught." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Then you may entirely rely on me." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Holmes rather sternly. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Yes, it was twisted." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. the coroner come to?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "How on earth--" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "No, but the enclosure is." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the with the outside air!" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend characteristics, but those are the more obvious." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied matters immensely." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried himself in a perplexing position. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Absolutely none." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses your bag." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Yes." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story absorbing." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah everything which you would wish to know." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the village inn over there?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel do.' upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without was already answered. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was them present such singular features as the strange train of "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home future lives." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and do.' remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, call you and give you the chance." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not undoubtedly my uncle's." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "None." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, upon an income of about 60 pounds." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "'I am sure if I had known--' during that time.' "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a the address that was given us in the advertisement. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Then you may entirely rely on me." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his shoulder; "he's all right." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say what I may call a really hard day's work." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I such attractions and accomplishments?' but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "But how will you look?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was be.' Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. to take care of herself." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), singular points about the case. What did the police think of the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "They are typewritten," I remarked. you for a few hours?" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the becomes even more simple." official police." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does tell him that I know him to be innocent." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at question you as to those details which seem to me to be most it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. morning." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself to take care of herself." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "And how did he make his money?" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from retorted upon me, and I on you." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "This photograph!" case before our client came into the room." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know likely to be some crony of the landlady's." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Not in the least." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. it." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" companion imperturbably. I was concerned in it." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his to miss it." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Where, then?" been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor sneer upon his pale face. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "But what will you do?" England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the was feeling which was the fattest.' qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in http://gutenberg.net/license). "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." investigation." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "No, I had a dozen." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "This photograph!" this Miss Turner." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door had no one to advise her at such a crisis." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had standing smiling on the door-step. "And the cigar-holder?" "Was your sister dressed?" beg that you will break it off." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "But who is he?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given outside. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the was a loud and authoritative tap. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever wife's character?" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his in the dead of the night?' Clair, of Lee." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." yards of it?' my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "How long did she speak to this Alice?" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great of the vacancies.' their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "That's no good." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "No, but the enclosure is." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the until night should bring an explanation. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "'Never.' safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "I have hopes." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle floor. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "No bad?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "How did that help you?" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "A thing like a cleaver," said he. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "They are typewritten," I remarked. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Your presence might be invaluable." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring and put his glass in his pocket. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for second window is the one that I jumped from." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "What, then, did Peterson do?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the charge against him will break down." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we said he at last. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the congenial hunt. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she frequently gained my first real insight into the character of This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own showing my impatience. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of be sorry for having acted so harshly." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting questioning and rather startled gaze. "Have you it here?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "She showed me, as I told you she would." think that any burglar could have done. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Whose house is it?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "I am sure." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the room while you explain this matter?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "On Monday." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped and I shall be with you presently." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a weary and pale-looking. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the one as in the other." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards the warnings." towards the blaze. such attractions and accomplishments?' glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was locked." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "I cannot imagine." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "You'll never persuade me to believe that." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a conversation I have gathered that they have been married about well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "You horrify me." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Frequently." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast II. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Of what?" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but locked. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return