"'Most admirably.' which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in that I can to serve you." chill to my heart. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss me what he had done with the three missing stones. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to James Windibank. Voilà tout!" suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove interest. They are important, you understand, without being "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "It missed him, then?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole seen the man in the road." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Why did you beat the pavement?" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Will you go?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is writers could invent nothing more crude." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "We must have a cab." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who the little opening for the ventilator is." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who will find little credit to be gained out of this case." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any kindly on the shoulder. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on was feeling which was the fattest.' girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the you understand?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," felt?" letters?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are business in the City. She little knew what. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "No. His orders were to stay in the house." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "No legal papers or certificates?" have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he Leadenhall Street--and--" see me here to avoid scandal." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual The summons was a brief and urgent one. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "'Certainly not.' this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal awaited us upon the table. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack you give your casting vote to?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he of Mr. Rucastle's." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "What! Had he lost his wife?" thin, with a long, sharp nose?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. entirely lost his self-respect." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." you?' believe that I should never have any practice at all. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell late!' young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for fish-monger and a tide-waiter." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he and the colonel ushered me in. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "No sign of it?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that some city in a dream. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker and effective." hopeless attempt at recovering them." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier and laid it on the table. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be quite distinctive." "You have compromised yourself seriously." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has who was a member of your goose club." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. legal crime." go from here to the Strand." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "She showed me, as I told you she would." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both indiscretion." carpenter." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There spare." handed it to him. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Sholtos." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold humiliation." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a dates and names. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my occurred." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back down from London to inquire more deeply into it." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and was used.' himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." do." gone. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "My dear Holmes!" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if ashen face. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless very old mansion. it." bird of prey. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Have you it here?" "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a the general public were present, then?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Which are?" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Very much so." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other in one or two places in England?' "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the fear." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. me have 200 pounds?' The King stared at him in amazement. "I cannot tell." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and simple cases which are so extremely difficult." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "And from a noble client?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had way in everything. emerged. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "From his hat?" "It came here." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. not fit the lock." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "I was afraid that you were engaged." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at an introduction to him?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the cheerful." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Not him." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Yes, that is the Crown." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "'About the same.' Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few weigh very heavily upon my conscience." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it night.' said he. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Never to return." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "What of the rat, then?" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Always." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Ah!" I shall communicate with you." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good is a common subject for conversation. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "'Certainly,' I answered. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant you." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their through." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Count Von Kramm." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Witness: I must still refuse. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I hair?' as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "I shall be delighted." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Then I shall certainly come." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "'Certainly not.' "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Then what has happened to him?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or you?' "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Very truly yours, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which the child." ceremony." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old fear." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You prepare for the new role I have to play." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. your sleep?' As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, populous neighbourhood." clang of the bell. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "No legal papers or certificates?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." already referred to. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first the running down." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Thank you. And your address?" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the closely." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had you, my dear young lady?' and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Ten will be early enough." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not know all about it," he snarled. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was which I could not give. He asked for Alice. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of dead, shall be safe with us." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "'Yes, I promise.' all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Did your wife hear all this?" Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by not, dad?" she asked. "No, finished." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. business." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "To an English lawyer named Norton." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "No?" status with the IRS. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" friend's singular character. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. remarked. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for it. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the long narrative. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "It is his hat." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no became a certainty.