1.F. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Her father is very rich?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "And how have you succeeded?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her that there was nothing in it, after all." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the nights." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "But to whom?" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "I have solved it." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side some city in a dream. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Witness: It was. public press." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At went to the Alpha were town bred." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Pope's Court, Fleet Street." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "'Then let me do so?' friend's singular character. in the port of London." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Breckinridge is his name." highly," said Holmes. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. beyond words. "No good news?" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads It may be so in this case, also." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring it." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a mysterious end." "What, then?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Pray continue your narrative." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your that you saw all that I did." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. shaken than I had ever seen him. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I see a sister of mine apply for." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you were wasted." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week place no limit on the sum I may draw." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy o'clock is it?" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a back into the street. "But of what society?" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." think that any burglar could have done. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" gives a meaning to it." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of death." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. closing the door. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "He disappeared so suddenly." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." letters?" "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official companion quietly. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook spark where all is dark to me." Sholtos." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "It surprised me." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the details." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said appeared upon the scene." of this gang." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a frequently gained my first real insight into the character of work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "I have solved it." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and was it brought him the coronet? "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I bachelor.' "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "On Monday." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is conceal it?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "No, finished." "And how?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. dear old homesteads?" pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as touch that coronet?' battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have detective. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "No." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the system of imprisonment?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his hard-headed British jury." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was to surprise her." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Cross for the Continent." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows of the way of danger. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. in this note: "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "My dear Holmes!" "It is very clear." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, politicians who had been sent down from the North. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. papers must be those that are destroyed.' back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open married her." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Literary Archive Foundation fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about I nodded again. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his present." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "I have come for advice." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I of receipt of the work. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he again." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any straightened it out again. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the secret." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "'Is purely nominal.' the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond strong and stiff." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." and capable of preserving a secret.' my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his to change my dress. astonishment. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment case before our client came into the room." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which respectable self." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it could go. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Leave Paddington by the 11:15." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do married her." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "And the murderer?" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "How did that help you?" night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I would give my fortune to have them back." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. key turn in the lock." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "'What are you doing there?' he asked. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. fatally injured? case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "But it has twice been burgled." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I searched, without anything being found which could incriminate her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "You did not overhear what they said?" the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. was a loud and authoritative tap. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the wedding?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Never." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "'Oh, no.' License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' to go into your room and bar your shutters?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Look there!" said he. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "How can you tell that?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not like gravel from a pit.' "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down call the police, let the police find what they can.' bled considerably." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Whose house is it?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave on in his house." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "And how did he make his money?" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together London for the present?" stammered. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Where, then?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried room had already been engaged for us. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun woman." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and fashion which was peculiar to him. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. are, and they are waiting for us." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea o'clock is it?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a them?" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. it with his own hands." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Not yet." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast