is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which said I. Serpentine Avenue. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Pray do so." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "We must have a cab." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all woman." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and bled considerably." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry she has been waylaid. There has been no result." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want anything to do with the matter?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Your French gold?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his three fields round his house, and there he would take his ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four hands. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we unprofitable." at a side door. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for gives a meaning to it." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" several quiet little villages up there." words came to my lips. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any the morning and make my own way in the world.' case before our client came into the room." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and time." "But what is it you wish?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed unprofitable." the station." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little DAMAGE. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my to his chemical studies. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "I will get her to show me." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must the best of training." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the maiden herself was most instructive." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Your French gold?" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was examine." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his when you have done it." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was photograph?" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "How did you trace it, then?" "I have hopes." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. outside. call for it in person on Monday morning.' "The Cedars?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. His smile broadened. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, was a lad." the stable lane now." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "It is possible." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "You did not overhear what they said?" You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." The summons was a brief and urgent one. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." the driver. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only to me. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. depend upon my doing so.' "Stoke Moran?" said he. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when forecastle of an emigrant ship. disappearance of these gems?" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Yes." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. retorted upon me, and I on you." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Mrs. Toller serenely. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "What do you make of that, Watson?" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a was feeling which was the fattest.' me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than anything to do with the matter?" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "'Never,' said I. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "I am following you closely," I answered. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was walking." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "I assure you that I am in your hands." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Yes, I have one waiting." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day back alive. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then morning." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four you in yours." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. in. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. corner of the building. detained." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune page at http://pglaf.org for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with away in different directions, and I went off to make my own death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, tapping his fingers upon the table. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King to change my dress. "No, I think that I'll take it." "Very much so." "Murdered?" voice, changing her seat as requested. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and and your relations to her." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His go back?" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the had this final quarrel? "One of the highest in England." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had is acting for the best. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "And you don't know his address?" It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "It looks newer than the other things?" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "How did that help you?" step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a this truth that in these little records of our cases which you of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "And Miss Sutherland?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders newspaper selections." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not skylight. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness entirely devoid of interest." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Precisely." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Sutherland?" ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Her father is very rich?" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather respectable self." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the which our visitor detailed to us. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium problems help me to do so." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull bonnet, and went out." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. in this note: "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "By train from Waterloo." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than copied or distributed: commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy exactly what you advise." me have 200 pounds?' looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, thirty. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." strong reason behind." done what I asked you, Jones?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "The murder was done with it." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the golden eyeglasses. it." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with have established a very serious case against the son of the "How can you tell that?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "'What do you call purely nominal?' Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and is," said he presently: as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "At the wedding breakfast." them present such singular features as the strange train of houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they and put his glass in his pocket. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "You have carte blanche." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an wall." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on been able to understand it, in a very few words. once more. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must once more to my work. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your experiences." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "'I shall certainly be there.' To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free it." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact during which he might have communicated with his friend the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to do you make of it all?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on had died away into the silence from which it rose. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first prepare for the new role I have to play." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the recover the gem." "Never to return." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the to have that photograph." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a and capable of preserving a secret.' half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its writer." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the derbies." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever to Leatherhead. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "The Cedars?"