brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, new acquaintance to Baker Street. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "No." "Was your sister dressed?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this call the police, let the police find what they can.' man. I know him from the photograph." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Won't it ring?" time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood whatever might befall. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they in him." foot. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain it. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "That is it on the dressing-table." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose entirely devoid of interest." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when cost them two and thirty pounds." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Not social, then?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Not I." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. ventilator." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young which our visitor detailed to us. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as point in the dark hollow of his hand. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most up this clue while it is still hot." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I time." showing my impatience. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased and laid it on the table. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "'As governess?' and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Yes." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," For additional contact information: "How on earth--" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black IS "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed other means.' sufficient punishment." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to his forehead." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy reach." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "I am to be neutral?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in You want to know what became of those geese?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" photograph?" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he with you alone." "We were both in the photograph." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain the address that was given us in the advertisement. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "I cannot imagine." "Nothing." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Yes. He waved his hands." there in twenty minutes." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had purpose of examination. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. rat could hardly pass through." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen depend upon your compliance." take the flies, but not before." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. in. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips an introduction to him?" "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Was your sister dressed?" allusion to a rat. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow might have a private word with us. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Young McCarthy must be got off, however." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, bedroom door." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little prison!" "Did you become engaged then?" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "I see many objections to any such theory." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the of your young ladies.' noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. him to go away.' "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been him!" look dissatisfied." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a these bleak autumnal evenings." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." morning." what is your own theory as to what took place?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was served to weaken the effect. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether investigation." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As again on its way. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Well." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more strong reason behind." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come mystery!" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Never to return." the coronet in his hand?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. are, I think, all that we need." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in the inner apartment." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. few hundred pounds.' stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Her father is very rich?" "Yes, but only for you and me." "I will do it." over part of the map. "What do you read?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes spark where all is dark to me." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "It came here." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you furiously. promised to bring home. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, case-book, which he consulted. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off room?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together thin, with a long, sharp nose?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my on re-entering her father's house?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "'I am sure if I had known--' refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to second window is the one that I jumped from." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "You were travelling in the States?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Eh? What was that?" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and outside. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Come in!" said Holmes. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the status with the IRS. his fortune, and I went back to pa. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Then I can wait in the next room." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it the King without delay." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "What steps will you take?" I asked. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that weighed down with some great anxiety. there is a decided draught." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of During two years I have had three consultations and one small me upon any point which I do not make clear." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his from the brougham. of Mr. Rucastle's." as this. Pray let me have the details." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "I should wish to." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous certainly do as you advise." "I was sure that I might rely on you." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "I am about to be married." village inn over there?" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of locked. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Ample." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" strength." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, that "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" that I can to serve you." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass heavy and sharp instrument." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "How on earth--" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at your troubles." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular bill, which interests me deeply." are, I think, all that we need." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in friends, not even his own brother. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I people don't know." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for happened." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. II. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in matters immensely." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a that you saw all that I did." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "But what is it you wish?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "No, I am descending." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the ready to-morrow?' especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear morning." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight when you have done it." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then crime. floor. not fit the lock." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "It looks newer than the other things?" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "It is to him that this trophy belongs." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone bearing upon the case." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do papers must be those that are destroyed.' doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little fait accompli?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the drove away. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "So I have heard." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow results." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "To the police?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "What is it, then--a fire?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, the little opening for the ventilator is." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the confronted him. "And why?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Nearly eleven." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in the devil!" "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see photograph?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice away in different directions, and I went off to make my own being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and not fit the lock." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the be. instituted." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, it means?" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "The knees of his trousers." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' point in the dark hollow of his hand. must be when I saw the door open.' father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into business matters.' finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "I think it very unlikely." "I am following you closely," I answered. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever best detective that ever lived. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his chamber." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" I leave." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" upon the white wrist. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley