my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty and all of them with the keenest interest. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A and that he would see to anything that turned up. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" appeal." "And is that all?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "You are hungry," I remarked. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "That also I could fathom." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Ah!" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "I was afraid that you were engaged." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," to surprise her." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "It is solved." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "That is unusual in a young girl." go from here to the Strand." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Never." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was with some details as to your case." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be said I. tied." The King stared at him in amazement. "Nothing." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "None." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "'I am sure that I do not know.' the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's promised to bring home. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother gives a meaning to it." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away in the port of London." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Were they all fastened this morning?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began round with crates and massive boxes. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" on in his house." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" to that open window." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "None." strength of mind to control. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, my friend's incisive reasoning. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if was shining brightly. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' husband's writing, madam." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of my little problems." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Is he quiet?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "But his left-handedness." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the bird I ate is country bred." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were people don't know." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "His face fell immediately. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "What will you do, then?" hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in sufficient punishment." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Thank you. Pray proceed." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "You'll never persuade me to believe that." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Thank you. Pray proceed." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read there were one or two details which were new to me. But the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is wedding?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down discontent upon his features. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a Sutherland. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "'Quite sure, dad.' you in yours." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "But we can't all be." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," enter into my head. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and to talk it over. married her." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very in. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was you." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the window, rose as we entered. "Will you go?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Sutherland?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' lumber-room." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of and the whole place is in a blaze." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch friends, not even his own brother. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. III. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The see me here to avoid scandal." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. front of me. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor must be when I saw the door open.' my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Certainly." "Have you her photograph?" the coronet in his hand?" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "And from a noble client?" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be was not a bird to be seen there. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the particular state visit http://pglaf.org See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "And who is her maid?" "My last client of the sort was a king." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "What, then?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Game for a morning drive?" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the could gather together that I was able to avert another public a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the horse could go." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and neither fascinating nor artistic." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "And you can do nothing until then?" "None. Neville wrote those words." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "From his hat?" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Absolutely none." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Seven!" I answered. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace night.' said he. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the his huge brown hands. "10th. John Swain cleared. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son you came in." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. Watson," he said cordially. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place trying to your nerves." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "I have seen the police." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "None." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a that sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in peculiar to him. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a me where it went to?" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never 1.E.9. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "On your arm?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "What I expected to see." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as roused himself from his reverie. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are interested in these little problems, and since you are good he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business as the one I chose?' "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the goes." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but sound at heart." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the instituted." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our carriage. It was a chestnut." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, without a word or a look. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "May I see it?" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "'Why that?' I asks. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my washing it down with a long draught of water. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very and all of them with the keenest interest. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in papers on the sundial.'" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were that he has suffered." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My one or two very singular points about this room. For example, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Perhaps I have." joking. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Yes, all." go--none." My friend smiled. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Gutenberg-tm License. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, evidence," I remarked. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the him nearly every evening." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are events than those which have happened in my own family." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Sutherland. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "I have a cab outside." "At what time?" Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in rose-bushes. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my invisible to me," I remarked. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "What I expected to see." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards stalked out of the room. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the open." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, arrested. You then--" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, quickly through a disagreeable task. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Why did you beat the pavement?" used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very better grown goose." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Miss Holder?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather."