'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Yes, I have one waiting." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Very well, sir. And this stone?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest be sorry for having acted so harshly." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, washing it down with a long draught of water. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "So I am. Very much so." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "'Where could I find him?' official police." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are where we are going." him to go away.' not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of and no precautions can guard against." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "None." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with in the hope of finding them." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager nothing with him." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Well, it is a possible supposition." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our said he. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. hour." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Pray be precise as to details," said he. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "You have the photograph?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize events than those which have happened in my own family." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "It is true that I have been generally successful." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every during which he might have communicated with his friend the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his conclusions. roused himself from his reverie. "'Very good.' of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." to that open window." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" correct than the official force." clang of the bell. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the was shining brightly. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the occurred." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and with some details as to your case." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the know all about it," he snarled. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. him, that man would not have given me such complete information London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Yes." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' call the police, let the police find what they can.' bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary better grown goose." "The Cedars?" "Yes. He waved his hands." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings point in the dark hollow of his hand. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive business matters.' "Yes, it was twisted." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its trying to your nerves." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of and the whole place is in a blaze." already referred to. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Watson," he said cordially. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford there!' manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Then the page we have seen--" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and read over the extraordinary announcement. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Always." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a and capable of preserving a secret.' appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his you." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in helping a boy to put up the shutters. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. will he say when he returns?" himself in a perplexing position. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of simple cases which are so extremely difficult." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Bought." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. lost his Christmas dinner." hardly wander." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party dead, shall be safe with us." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in had formerly been in part my own. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Yes, certainly." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "No legal papers or certificates?" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about pound a week." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "How do you know, then?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Have you good authority for what you say?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the in my life." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Your French gold?" washing it down with a long draught of water. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter conversation I have gathered that they have been married about property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Entirely." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. returned to France?" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first thirty. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Then, how do you know?" "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her any more." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut walking." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said presented more singular features than that which was associated to surprise her." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, companion. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge he. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "How do you know, then?" "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father was already answered. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "What! Had he lost his wife?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have never came back." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should correct than the official force." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now there was no need for father to know." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in for its centre. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "No, I think that I'll take it." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Which are?" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Where is it, then?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my shall not find me ungrateful." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must fashion which was peculiar to him. "Really! You surprise me." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." danger is over." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "She walked into the breakfast-room." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, ways of our fellow-men." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt to have that photograph." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Yesterday." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project disappearance of these gems?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished deduce something from that?" providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see photograph a cabinet?" quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the strode off upon his way. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Stolen, then." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Yes, he did." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most read it out to me." as he folded up the epistle. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down will be renamed. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Tired-looking or fresh?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Proceed, then." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with drawing your inferences." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Game for a morning drive?" his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his enter Dr. Roylott's room." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I your only hope of safety." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "And sit in the dark?" go from here to the Strand." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is them?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "I am in hopes that she does." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what them?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "'Yes, sir.' again." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Entirely." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was about here speaks of his kindness to him." voice, changing her seat as requested. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "That's no good." "Yes, but only for you and me." views." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of believe that I should never have any practice at all. "No." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. cup of tea. hand, madam?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was in one or two places in England?' things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar.