which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "No." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time to-morrow." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice confronted him. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "And that is--" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are tell them apart.' dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "That you are never beaten." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Who by?" we went to search for him, face downward in a little to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that grasp, he hurried from the room. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "But he might be a bachelor." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the appeal." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Yes." question. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It purpose equally well?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He I. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, late." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the night.' upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small deduce something from that?" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable derbies." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ long narrative. "What will you do, then?" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier when you have done it." the King without delay." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. went to the Alpha were town bred." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "I should like to see him very much." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn retorted upon me, and I on you." "My Mary? Impossible!" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "ARAT," I read. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported asked. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "You will not go there first?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "He might." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east felt the room to be a little close.' place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "'Yes, it was gone.' "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly this unhappy family?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "No. His orders were to stay in the house." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step his knees, staring into the fire. through." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "There is the writing." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Your presence might be invaluable." purpose equally well?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of prove to be little relation between the different incidents of him nearly every evening." security.' spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and again." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "You were travelling in the States?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I way in." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been had a long day." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in London for the present?" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a guilty one." handed it to him. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have asked. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between undoubtedly my uncle's." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you call you and give you the chance." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely awkward doing business with an alias." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "'Where could I find him?' than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was fishes. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and question. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Who by?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; the Friday. Was it to be in church?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes closely." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "But what is it you wish?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a DISSOLVED. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "How long did she speak to this Alice?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a corner of the building. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of horse could go." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Have you it here?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found is so. I know all about McCarthy." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "I don't say that. Perhaps." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Yes." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "What! You do not mean bodies?" astonishment. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Again Holmes raved in the air. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune was a lad." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and fact, we may call it conclusive." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue in the port of London." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "It is possible." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he a room. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a child?' that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "How about poison?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address said he. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "And how did you find out?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "And did you observe any change in her then?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission ways of our fellow-men." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" nights." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Why, what do you mean?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That you, my dear young lady?' words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my over with notes and figures. is," said he presently: burst into a hearty fit of laughter. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be article?" them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which when you have done it." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time companion. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." giving me time to thank him. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her affair. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "It certainly sounds feasible." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, kind enough to tell me what I should do." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "No bad?" As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these what these perils are?" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious certainly not very gracious." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "So I am. Very much so." taking in every detail of the apartment. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Yes." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." cigars in the box." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "How can you tell that?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start searched, without anything being found which could incriminate down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. murdered man." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" gigantic client. outsides of the windows. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Stolen." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "No bad?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "I promise," said Holmes. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices of note-paper. It read in this fashion: you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "What, then?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something yourselves in at night?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, unprecedented a position." which it had come upon my father." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried nights." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would you give your casting vote to?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, for and were ordered to this address. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that such attractions and accomplishments?' tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon whole matter to your consideration." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." how narrow had been my escape. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Then the page we have seen--" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Ample." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers highroad, where all traces were lost. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have was not a bird to be seen there. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it crime." might have a private word with us. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' but preventing her from injuring another. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Your presence might be invaluable." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "On your arm?" 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "And I to find an enemy." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Yes." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "No more words. Get out!" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the McCarthy's innocence. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a make me his representative both with the servants and with the cigar and let me expound." "Have you it here?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Not in the least." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black guilty parties." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "I would pay ten." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or of this gang." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were extraordinary contortions. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "What, then?" It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be