"Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." to-night's adventure." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie my special province." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you highroad, where all traces were lost. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Doctor, of the paper and the date." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "He said that you could solve anything." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do information in his hands the value of which he did not himself before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America during that time.' business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. This is what he says: "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City Clair, of Lee." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence closely." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Yes. He waved his hands." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you crime." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding The King stared at him in amazement. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Not I." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "You are all wrong." this unhappy family?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "No." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would hour." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed drawing your inferences." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Why? What do you mean?" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper upon the white wrist. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, galvanised. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from and inquire as to the address." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a you." and capable of preserving a secret.' above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are invisible to me," I remarked. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel allusion to a rat. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. had died away into the silence from which it rose. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to into the room. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them strong and stiff." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me the window, rose as we entered. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would awaited us upon the table. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! of your young ladies.' the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between to a light-house. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers disappearance of the bride.'" easy-going way." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed in the hope of finding them." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Not social, then?" you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "And did you observe any change in her then?" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Nearly eleven." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how burst out into a roar of laughter. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the disturbance in my wife." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own 1.E.9. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the detective. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong you give your casting vote to?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "How long did she speak to this Alice?" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "My opinion is in no way altered." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to which we had just quitted. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" during that time.' "Perhaps we may make them less so." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Never." 'please.'" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That the bed, and you in that chair." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have nonsense.' him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a carpenter." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. security.' "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would other means.' you." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. meanly of me." weighed down with some great anxiety. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of look upon these things in a different way." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend him and tried to hold him back. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "The gentleman I describe." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible the coroner come to?" "Yes." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better some mystery and the punishment of some crime." business matters.' "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage you came in." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in out." colour had been driven from his face. where we are going." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "I will, Miss Turner." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and legal crime." into the bag, and made for the door. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided works. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our future lives." "That also I could fathom." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "That is possible." speckled band?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "But I am all in the dark." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and over part of the map. "What do you read?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. any." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen such attractions and accomplishments?' It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "I assure you that I am in your hands." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Why serious?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just bedroom door." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any entirely lost his self-respect." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short how narrow had been my escape. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously must compliment you." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "No, I think that I'll take it." "I shall most certainly do so." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The are windows in it, of course?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "You saw the ventilator, too?" "But how?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Of what?" "I say it is." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the did not hear it also.' "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Thank you. Pray proceed." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad records." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Miss Holder?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. business matters.' "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed joking. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A fattened it expressly for you.' in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy be there in time for your coming." me where it went to?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Ample." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a putting in the horse. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, direction." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry page at http://pglaf.org "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Certainly." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Yes, it was twisted." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over green of the new foliage. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Yes, it was twisted." "And what did you see?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to quickly through a disagreeable task. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Were they all fastened this morning?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "His face fell immediately. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT the child." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Munro.' house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and this poor creature." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to upon the sideboard." "In what way?" asked Holmes. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to unclasping of his long thin hands. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside new duties?' Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I to tackle the facts." "It is possible." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with on in his house." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the details." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which is so. I know all about McCarthy." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; may have an influence upon European history." "Bought." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "To an end?" awaited us upon the table. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "None." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Yes." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and of his shoulders. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Ha! you find it so?" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for know that the truth is known." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "I would give my fortune to have them back." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me case-book, which he consulted. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son away into the river." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Dr. Gregory B. Newby companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, instincts rose up against that laugh. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith