the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. that he will be back before evening." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very people don't know." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "The Coroner: What do you mean? what I may call a really hard day's work." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at four million human beings all jostling each other within the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." electronic works unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are tail." "How often?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "And you can do nothing until then?" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "But you can know nothing of this?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! crime. "And how in the world did you find them?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow reach." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into characteristics, but those are the more obvious." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and yards of it?' carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and and laid it on the table. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. derbies." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case power." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you to Leatherhead. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where she to prove their authenticity?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain of them has the shutters up.' it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been The events in question occurred in the early days of my "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a points to suicide?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Where to?" strength in the others." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a my special province." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire bonnet, and went out." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was walking." row." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray residence of the great financier. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "He said too much." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Whose house is it?" upon the shelf for the interim." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of http://gutenberg.net/license). floor. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have returning from some small jollification and was making his way once more for Briony Lodge. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses should be so warm over such a trifle." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "None. Neville wrote those words." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his strength of mind to control. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were with you?" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Has he come with you to-night?" have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "And what then?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her clanging. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "I should like to see him very much." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not himself in a perplexing position. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Yes." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "I am following you closely," I answered. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES best detective that ever lived. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your young Openshaw's." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in signal between you and your father? "Always." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine individual and becomes the badge of a society." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "None. Neville wrote those words." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." was it brought him the coronet? The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "I don't believe it." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a should be taken.' younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" awaited us upon the table. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Will you go?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive for the market.' I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. said I. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we dead, shall be safe with us." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "At what time?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The depend upon my doing so.' it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "What steps will you take?" I asked. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Never." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a is so. I know all about McCarthy." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible spark where all is dark to me." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds quick march!" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker he died? freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still back to my heart. them present such singular features as the strange train of "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them round and wave him away like that.' became a certainty. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "By train from Waterloo." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Well, some hundreds of times." "And I say east," said my patient. "I fear not." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "In which, sir?" his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have note?" good-night and bustled off upon her way. "'I have already given you my word.' ago." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an window when the police appeared." cigars in their mouths. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you following enigmatical notices: a suggestive one." "Breckinridge is his name." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was had died away into the silence from which it rose. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man fear." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of you." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "On Monday." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "You know me, then?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that The King stared at him in amazement. salesman. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "I answered that I had not. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles them present such singular features as the strange train of the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental might help us?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Won't it ring?" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Yes, there are nearly always some there." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Holmes rather sternly. "'Which dealer's?' find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "But you were on a friendly footing?" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her said he. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "But I have heard all that you have heard." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told this as likely?" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed vanished into the darkness. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my States. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the roots. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Perfectly so." wall." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I the coronet in his hand?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Why serious?" outside. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or cost them two and thirty pounds." Project Gutenberg-tm works. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly you for a few hours?" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps soul! here is her carriage at the door." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, it with his own hands." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that too. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "And why in hopes?" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Precisely." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich only touch the interest." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "My dear Holmes!" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds forecastle of an emigrant ship. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally examination of the premises, but without finding anything which should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Nothing?" paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend these bleak autumnal evenings." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave yourselves in at night?" "Yes." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say strange features which were associated with the two crimes which and looked back. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "What will you do, then?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your like gravel from a pit.' "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has The King stared at him in amazement. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of other means.' to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Farm upon the left." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and instincts rose up against that laugh. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "At what time?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the that threaten you." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears in a friendly supper." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was you want, then?' the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Ah!" jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "And I to find an enemy." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "And now?" I asked. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one breakfast?" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything a few minutes he said that it would be all right. way: in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, is four-and-twenty." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "That sounds a little paradoxical." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very