so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. these bleak autumnal evenings." within hail.' once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so she slowly sank and died without having recovered her meant." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor spark where all is dark to me." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "If so, much may have happened between." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's the bottom.' "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Why? What do you mean?" nights." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed wedding?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could words came to my lips. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced call you and give you the chance." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Did your wife hear all this?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, hour?' akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "'Ample.' "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "You heard nothing yourself last night?" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under be there in time for your coming." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the arrested. You then--" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether disappearance of these gems?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that right! Sit down and let us talk it over." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of American. Then who could this American be, and why should he said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. the Assizes." never came back." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Heh?' "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently heavily into it. "He is still with you, I presume?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "What shall I do?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." ashen face. "Very much so." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, the dangers which encompass me." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was confronted him. I nodded again. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but the child." both be extremely obliged.' "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Does that suggest anything?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on bled considerably." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Not I." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her all that?" strength in the others." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Well, it is a possible supposition." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Who was the criminal, then?" "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "But your client--" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong nothing of it?" of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the there when the Rucastles went away." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when opened a pocket-book and took out a note. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Oh, yes, easily." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "But how will you look?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed possible that we could bring him back to her? "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the your sleep?' Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as clanging. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of ventilator." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." is four-and-twenty." it." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for that I may have something better before very many minutes are before, for it was considerably after midnight. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Pray be precise as to details," said he. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "You have but to name it." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely mystery may be cleared along those lines." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in said I. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for she to prove their authenticity?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert out of this horrible affair." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Did you observe the colour?" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a which our visitor detailed to us. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" the stones. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Very murderous indeed." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is generous with you in money matters.' uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for most interesting one." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment key of the affair now." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy this as likely?" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "He might." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, make me his representative both with the servants and with the "How did you deduce the select?" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "May I see it?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was it with his own hands." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of are, I think, all that we need." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated weigh very heavily upon my conscience." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will leaning back in his chair. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "'What would be the hours?' I asked. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. the matter?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both row." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers that you can jump it.' better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all without a word or a look. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his interest. They are important, you understand, without being rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving best detective that ever lived. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "It is a murder, then?" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some points to suicide?" papers diligently of late, have you not?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "I saw her in conversation with her maid." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "And how did you verify them?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little nice household for a young lady." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down your billet.' "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read better grown goose." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this that I am arrested." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of whole matter to your consideration." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "By no means." tapping his fingers upon the table. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "I will do it." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are strength of mind to control. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "You are hungry," I remarked. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. infinite languor in his face. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a which was all perfectly true. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "The best possible." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying had a long day." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first habit of advancing money.' Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this McCarthy." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange infinite languor in his face. "It missed him, then?" "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve him to go away.' I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Which surely he restored to their owner?" frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, back into the street. four million human beings all jostling each other within the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of too. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "What do you mean?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small unkempt, staring out at me. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "What have you done?" asked Holmes. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable look upon these things in a different way." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, business matters.' the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "How on earth--" "'I am sure if I had known--' was once confined in the cab my mission was practically amused." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "It is his hat." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but will be renamed. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client was a loud and authoritative tap. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography feature." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden unkempt, staring out at me. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the that he will be back before evening." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon useful material for showing traces. The double line a little wall." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have together. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told showing my impatience. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Sholtos." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the loss of it. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." answered with a sidelong glance. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "What then?" stammered. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Then I am your man." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon Dr. Gregory B. Newby could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Can I be of assistance?" in one or two places in England?' him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his had formerly been in part my own. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you least a fellow-countryman. "Yes, but only for you and me." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "No, I think that I'll take it." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of seen the man in the road." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that might have a private word with us. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to go from here to the Strand." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Certainly." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. rat could hardly pass through." "And from a noble client?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Ha! you find it so?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one perplexity from it to my illustrious client. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east