tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" not fit the lock." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous my former friend and companion. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some What do you deduce from it?" spark where all is dark to me." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by it were putty." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "That is it on the dressing-table." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming all-comprehensive glances. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. your co-operation." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Then I shall certainly come." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite breakfast and whispered something to her husband. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Yes, certainly." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same noise which awoke you from your sleep?" moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and his fortune, and I went back to pa. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Yes. He waved his hands." for the market.' world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the companion quietly. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. DISSOLVED. "Witness: Nothing definite. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held reach." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside useful material for showing traces. The double line a little stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Project Gutenberg-tm works. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Yes." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless whole matter to your consideration." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "'A dozen yards or so.' security.' offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up acted in my house last night?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear better in every way that they should make their position a little "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for way: "It is his hat." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up and it need not interfere very much with one's other "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "I beg pardon." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him that you wished to speak to me?' "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It ceremony." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your desk. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of drawing your inferences." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the invisible to me," I remarked. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the which are rolled in Rotterdam." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come friends, not even his own brother. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to had died away into the silence from which it rose. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "No." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the the inquest, and which are worth considering." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. locked. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "I promise," said Holmes. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "I warn you that they are very incomplete." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid she used." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "A call for help, you thought?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and present." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the know what is wrong with it.' the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "An enemy?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Then how many are there?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "No." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though his cane at the bell-pull. province." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we approach us with offers to donate. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up touch that coronet?' people in all walks of life. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately might have a private word with us. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the woman." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project whereabouts. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "In answer to an advertisement." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the any." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "I will do it." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us there were so many in the whole country as were brought together status with the IRS. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes problems help me to do so." "Precisely so. But how--" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Certainly." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business of receipt of the work. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "I was afraid that you were engaged." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire and capable of preserving a secret.' ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Pray do so." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at there has been an enclosure here!" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "I am in hopes that she does." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project signal between you and your father? him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered his eyes and forehead. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's the window, rose as we entered. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he of a light. interest. They are important, you understand, without being strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love vault. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "The doctor?" taking in every detail of the apartment. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may definite end. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were that threaten you." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "I would pay ten." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We lamp in his hand. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in started for the Temple to see my husband. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under works. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "10th. John Swain cleared. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her The events in question occurred in the early days of my in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring train.' so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows kindly on the shoulder. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "You forget that I know nothing about it." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest vague figure huddled up in the darkness. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to here." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from and a shock of very red hair. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to was used.' with the outside air!" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "On your arm?" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads I approached. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "How do you know, then?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something something of him before." see a sister of mine apply for." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I envelope. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my help us in this matter." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a easy-going way." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Never." down. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good one of them." have had none more fantastic than this." you." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "The rest you will leave in our hands." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very infinite languor in his face. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "'I am sure if I had known--' going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." nothing of it?" compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "But not more so than I to find you." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full any more." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing paper in the air. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about meant it for the best. point in the dark hollow of his hand. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, during which he might have communicated with his friend the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely the window, rose as we entered. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were danger is over." "By train from Waterloo." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your delirious. furiously. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Absolutely?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Proceed, then." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her young Openshaw's." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Proceed, then." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, do.' were wasted." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Not in the least." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "And when will you call?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a green of the new foliage. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my it with his own hands." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a use an arc-and-compass breastpin." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Ah, but I was recommended to you." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Countess of Morcar's?" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll invisible to me," I remarked. "I think it very unlikely." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the have established a very serious case against the son of the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "'I am sure that I do not know.' Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle fait accompli?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who directly by questioning you." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in have an American origin." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he