much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this man. I know him from the photograph." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "That sounds a little paradoxical." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations the tragedy. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "He is dead," cried several voices. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can wedding?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to shag which I had seen upon the previous night. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Yes." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was been with you?" "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Yes, certainly." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard trifles." corner of the building. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "We must sit without light. He would see it through the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the upon the white wrist. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. too. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me guilty parties." at my remark. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case the one as in the other." "I was sure that I might rely on you." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Of Friday, June 19th." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave business matters.' he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this with some details as to your case." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the presume?" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "It's nothing of the kind." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and reach." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Do you know him?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in always that they were such commands as a lady might with a room. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond yourselves in at night?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "I would pay ten." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both really the only notable feature about the thing." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is to tackle the facts." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid suggested at once that there must be a communication between the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Have you her photograph?" learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. your Highness to the police-station?" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "He said too much." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "It is possible." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "I beg pardon." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I bedroom door." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "It may not come to that," said Holmes. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to with some details as to your case." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the eat it." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "He is dead," cried several voices. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." the driver. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I answered that I had not. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "I shall most certainly do so." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Certainly, madam." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Who by?" I nodded again. closely." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Which are?" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "'How far from the body?' "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Dr. Becher's." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "It must be recovered." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Dark enough and sinister enough." papers must be those that are destroyed.' "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "No, distinctly professional." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." humiliation." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. laugh and put his lips to my ear. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Why did you pick him?" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "What! Had he lost his wife?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall tell him that I know him to be innocent." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it gone. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "No, but the enclosure is." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm think that he is innocent?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Yesterday." telegram would bring me down to your help." and capable of preserving a secret.' Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. for securing the situation." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" walking." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for shoulder. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Where, then?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." get her out of the way." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Stolen, then." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "What! Had he lost his wife?" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. noting anything else of interest. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." have I gained?" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "You think that he is dead?" read it out to me." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project whatever might befall. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. present." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. has little to do with my story." such attractions and accomplishments?' brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Do you know him?" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Project Gutenberg-tm works. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, here." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by standing smiling on the door-step. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "My dear Holmes!" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a likely to be some crony of the landlady's." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "There are none." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this felt?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I question. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very a monotonous occupation." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the some water from a caraffe. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her salesman. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it sit on the left-hand side of the driver." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable shoulder; "he's all right." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "But you would not advise me to refuse?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you fasten all the windows?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a like gravel from a pit.' being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see the side-table." in my life." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR at home. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H feature." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "But to whom?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES present." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. outside. "But I am all in the dark." room had already been engaged for us. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had himself to tell his story. "Yes, only one." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "That is easily got." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. together. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in way in everything. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the again on its way. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which people don't know." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there never will be, entirely cleared up. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all row." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "But I am all in the dark." hand, madam?" like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Oh, fresh and glossy." delirious. kind enough to tell me what I should do." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind a few minutes he said that it would be all right. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old the coronet in his hand?" have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to records." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in definite end. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that when your master had gone out." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening