"From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary your room." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to the little opening for the ventilator is." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the not come at once?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, which our visitor detailed to us. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "It missed him, then?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." mystery!" been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But stammered. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, to Leatherhead. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a so far?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must to have been novel and of interest." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "'Yes, I promise.' will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "You are hungry," I remarked. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." felt the room to be a little close.' bedroom door." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the help us in this matter." whatever might befall. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Precisely so. But how--" End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "I have a cab outside." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "No more words. Get out!" the loss of it. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into man. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am as he folded up the epistle. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, to-night?" I asked. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical know what is wrong with it.' "One?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Yes, sir." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Miss Holder?" outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her simple cases which are so extremely difficult." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water straightened it out again. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I For additional contact information: battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. carried out of court." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted did not hear it also.' prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "'You doubt its value?' he asked. and capable of preserving a secret.' introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to but preventing her from injuring another. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to all-comprehensive glances. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the best of training." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "'Why that?' I asks. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the in a friendly supper." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed how narrow had been my escape. "VIOLET HUNTER." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a silent! Oh, he will be silent!' loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly woman who has had her own way to make in the world. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she man. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "'And the work?' His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock intimate personal affairs in this public manner." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave minor matters until to-morrow." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now memory. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it had no one to advise her at such a crisis." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we do.' little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she indiscretion." wife's character?" action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "My dear Holmes!" on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I shoulder. the King without delay." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. window when the police appeared." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "'Is 4 pounds a week.' had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "The rest you will leave in our hands." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "I cannot imagine." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Mrs. Toller serenely. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Does that suggest anything?" easy-going way." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I o'clock is it?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a points to suicide?" asked with his eyes open. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "No, I am descending." used to be." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "'Certainly not. But why?' indeed happy." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by desk. "Here?" "Why serious?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me http://www.gutenberg.net memory. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled know that the truth is known." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "What! a murderous attack?" young Openshaw's." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Where to?" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that affair. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons door?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or must compliment you." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek mysterious end." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a to surprise her." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Witness: It was. may have an influence upon European history." "Witness: I must still refuse. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "And how in the world did you find them?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Look there!" said he. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." my little problems." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal what I may call a really hard day's work." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been me. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident recover the gem." and put his glass in his pocket. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have my friend's incisive reasoning. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. fishes. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "He slept on the premises." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs upon the white wrist. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you that he has suffered." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two DISSOLVED. legal crime." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "And what then?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, anything to do with the matter?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in four million human beings all jostling each other within the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner allusion to a rat. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "I have hopes." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly comes from the middle window." Holmes rather sternly. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To and capable of preserving a secret.' waste of energy." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "No." in a friendly supper." Gutenberg-tm License. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie chamber." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "I should wish to." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Just look it up, then." disappearance of the bride.'" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "The best possible." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to useful material for showing traces. The double line a little this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Entirely." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He are windows in it, of course?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I exactly what you advise." was keenly on my guard against him. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up good for you to do.' Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Not particularly." looking up at the numbers of the houses." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "No." was used.' be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "You horrify me." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "It is possible." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking a very grave face. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, shoulder; "he's all right." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "I cannot tell." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Foundation with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the coronet in his hands?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in in my life." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" answered with a sidelong glance. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the families. Now for the facts. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "'I have already given you my word.' the matter." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Literary Archive Foundation "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the date of his supposed suicide." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "It may not come to that," said Holmes. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak October 9, 1890. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "His face fell immediately. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "By no means." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found would apply.' "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about