of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the guilty one." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "'Ample.' "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Miss Holder?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first anything to a woman, for she would have her way." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "It is very clear." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine should be taken.' deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with where Mr. Fordham shows you.' chance." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "I know where it is." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point forehead. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "In which, sir?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to not personally threatened." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere what these perils are?" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. death." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Entirely." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little directors have had misgivings upon the subject." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "He disappeared so suddenly." cause to be." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a three of the beryls in it, was missing. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." you?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Very murderous indeed." Street. "Who by?" examine." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has and effective." matters immensely." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the outside. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "But who is he?" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to into the room. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. absorbing." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, be.' "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "My dear Holmes!" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "It is no ordinary one." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." entirely lost his self-respect." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and business in the City. She little knew what. flock.' "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was ago." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. asked. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with not, dad?" she asked. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without definite end. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the think, you have already met." wedding?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY in this note: "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "What is it, then--a fire?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "'Certainly not. But why?' slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "But I am all in the dark." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Where did you address your letters, then?" mystery!" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Then the page we have seen--" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, skylight. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "He disappeared so suddenly." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. you." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "The Coroner: What do you mean? strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I intrusion of other matters." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the in darkness. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. of this gang." them?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was front of the hall door has given its name to the place. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he forecastle of an emigrant ship. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would look dissatisfied." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Murdered?" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Yes." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Only as much as we can deduce." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "By all means." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Did he not advertise?" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my that I can to serve you." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the begun to whiten, even as mine has." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "But his left-handedness." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Yes, that is the Crown." empty. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "But you can know nothing of this?" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Certainly, madam." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "I am following you closely," I answered. "'Then let me do so?' right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "It certainly sounds feasible." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Will you bet, then?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle second." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Imitated." will be renamed. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your you give your casting vote to?" some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "BALLARAT." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had infinite languor in his face. "You think so, too?" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just in. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "The murder was done with it." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had if I call to-morrow?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, in him." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in death." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "What, then?" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "So I am. Very much so." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was undoubtedly my uncle's." charge against him will break down." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, future lives." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "That also I could fathom." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the weighed down with some great anxiety. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards directors, with the result that you have seen." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my such person." least a fellow-countryman. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to papers on the sundial.'" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his the one as in the other." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when to-night." you." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "But how?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' people don't know." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Not in a good cause." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To the child." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the occurred." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed hour?' "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Come in!" said he. already referred to. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the felt the room to be a little close.' "'Ample.' again." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. his grey eyes. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Pray let us have it, for all that." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Street. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Here?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all wedding?" round and wave him away like that.' quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." leave you to your papers for a little." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the King without delay." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "You heard nothing yourself last night?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is lips." it right.' same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I congratulate you again." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was I held the little printed slip to the light. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do your billet.' this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. matter." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "I cannot tell." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that that there was nothing in it, after all." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "But it has twice been burgled." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the populous neighbourhood." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called will be renamed. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "How on earth--" learned something! Where are the gems?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. horse could go." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he speckled band?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "I have come for advice." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." cheerful." "I should wish to." exactly what you advise." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "'Yes, sir.' one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not the little opening for the ventilator is." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California completely overtopped every other consideration that we both he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "'Never.' the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it