way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "I think that it is very probable." other means.' handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Countess of Morcar's?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, trifles." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small 'please.'" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" you in your example." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the stones. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. noting anything else of interest. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not business." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "What do you make of that, Watson?" "At what time?" from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring the room while you explain this matter?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing not interfere, come what may. You understand?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Yes." Project Gutenberg-tm works. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "You'll never persuade me to believe that." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "We must sit without light. He would see it through the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must II. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his not, dad?" she asked. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "At the wedding breakfast." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great were unconscious?" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears open." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "And how?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. vault. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "What! You do not mean bodies?" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "I think that I had better go, Holmes." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no you in your example." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "And now?" He raised his hand. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "And why in hopes?" wanted for ourselves." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated politicians who had been sent down from the North. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "And why?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "A call for help, you thought?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have enough to aid us in our search." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall hardly wander." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the desk. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He Gutenberg-tm License. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall posted to-day." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? conclusions. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a him." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Yes, he did." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** as the one I chose?' upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be bled considerably." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Then I do not see the point." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's developed." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "But you can know nothing of this?" photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa crackling voice. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. served to weaken the effect. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Yes." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Project Gutenberg-tm works. unkempt, staring out at me. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of His smile broadened. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, occurred." me. You must get home instantly and act." confronted him. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Where did he live, then?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left really the only notable feature about the thing." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery villagers almost as much as their master. "The rest you will leave in our hands." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few brandy and water within his reach. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Come in!" said he. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could empty. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Street. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and feature." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper his cane at the bell-pull. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil showing my impatience. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Where to?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "I will do it." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." flock.' 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "An enemy?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "'Yes, sir.' of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either bears upon the case?" myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their the nursery. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. again." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "'You doubt its value?' he asked. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies and the church but not where the lady lived." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." shoulder; "he's all right." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "'I have already given you my word.' India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence be.' threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly brain must have something in it." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little You can understand that this register and diary may implicate wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "But you have hopes?" the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your pressing in one house as in another. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland questioning and rather startled gaze. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "And how did he make his money?" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so province." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "And what did you learn from him?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "His face fell immediately. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded gentleman's clothes. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, My friend smiled. have one." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. results." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the together. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "A client, then?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Not in the least." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a posted to-day." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may you." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his weary and pale-looking. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You visitors." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot six. Come in!" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the what these perils are?" into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the is acting for the best. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the bell. Holmes whistled. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Farm upon the left." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same newspaper selections." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. not, dad?" she asked. was used.' despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "I have solved it." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" whether it answered to the description of any of their woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at cost them two and thirty pounds." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" of Fenchurch Street." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do shag which I had seen upon the previous night. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it there was no need for father to know." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "But she could not love him." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of most interesting one." "What, then, did Peterson do?" depend upon my doing so.' room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with she slowly sank and died without having recovered her foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of not, dad?" she asked. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "I was mad--insane." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a dead, shall be safe with us." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in once more for Briony Lodge. "Were they all fastened this morning?" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to gbnewby@pglaf.org my special province." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by was feeling which was the fattest.' down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for his knees, staring into the fire. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very them?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is this man was intellectual?"