there were so many in the whole country as were brought together importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather business at Coburg Square is serious." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "They are typewritten," I remarked. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite ways including including checks, online payments and credit card in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Certainly." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried in a very precise fashion." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, were new raised from a basin. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's arrangements." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Nothing." stalked out of the room. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. direction." "'Entirely.' was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had suspect him." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of one of the states of the Union." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Stolen, then." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Well, but China?" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "If so, much may have happened between." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "And how did you find out?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have *** START: FULL LICENSE *** increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and think, you have already met." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and all that?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I tied." public press." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his father's place of business?" crime. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman his forehead." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "And leave your case unfinished?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide business in the City. She little knew what. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Game for a morning drive?" If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When lips." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever will not take me long to tell. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we not use it unless it is absolutely needed." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" case before our client came into the room." was lame." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are extraordinary contortions. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window nothing of it?" the stable lane now." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he within hail.' black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Eyford." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the wanted for ourselves." have not had my rubber." evidence," I remarked. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you burst into a hearty fit of laughter. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the more terrible than the truth. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own certainly do as you advise." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. felt the room to be a little close.' matters immensely." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock his face which made him a very different person to the round, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an John Swain, of St. Augustine. "ARAT," I read. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from indeed which he could not unravel. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "'I am sure if I had known--' glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches envelope. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Precisely." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but several quiet little villages up there." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "In what way?" asked Holmes. is four-and-twenty." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Young McCarthy must be got off, however." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her quickly through a disagreeable task. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "So I am. Very much so." grasp, he hurried from the room. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the the south-west, I see." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), has little to do with my story." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Where does the thing come from?' "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Ten will be early enough." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this pierced for earrings?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "A call for help, you thought?" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way cigar and let me expound." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "What I expected to see." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a someone who had been in Australia." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a case before our client came into the room." "The rest you will leave in our hands." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the voice, changing her seat as requested. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two fattened it expressly for you.' "I warn you that they are very incomplete." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may the salesman. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Was he the only applicant?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after open." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "I see no marks." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are go back?" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Perfectly so." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture flock.' be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of only touch the interest." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "I beg pardon." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt him!" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Pray do so." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was a little more before I quite committed myself. "She showed me, as I told you she would." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "I think that it is very probable." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Sutherland?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Count Von Kramm." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "The murder was done with it." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down villagers almost as much as their master. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the public press." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "But what harm can there be in that?" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your into the room. will not take me long to tell. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "You are all wrong." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Gutenberg-tm License. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with better in every way that they should make their position a little firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be there were so many in the whole country as were brought together surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my II. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save second." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "And your mother is alive?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible I was concerned in it." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Certainly." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "How did he come?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "By train from Waterloo." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' to-night's adventure." "Then what has happened to him?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "On the contrary, this is the right side." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. your co-operation." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built when you have done it." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To exactly what you advise." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "That was it, sir." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "No bad?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about stepfather?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Oh, yes, easily." this as likely?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, him. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips noise which awoke you from your sleep?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Could he throw no light?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me the stones. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I interests were the same as his." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter During two years I have had three consultations and one small hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "I have come for advice." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and late." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this the room while you explain this matter?" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and his knees, staring into the fire. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "That is unusual in a young girl." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your simple cases which are so extremely difficult." business." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I bachelor.' them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the