married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "On your arm?" works. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as present." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, I have it here in my museum." get her out of the way." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon already referred to. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Holmes rather sternly. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Absolutely?" prepare for the new role I have to play." closing the door. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he October 9, 1890. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, go from here to the Strand." such attractions and accomplishments?' air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Why, it's a dummy," said he. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. against a man in the prime of life?" suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and this poor creature." "It is very clear." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I bedroom door." it were putty." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector at my own good fortune. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her drove away. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and unprofitable." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. deduce something from that?" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, weighed down with some great anxiety. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead mystery!" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram if she died from some sudden fright." pound a week." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at have established a very serious case against the son of the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure will he say when he returns?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Yes." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. this man was intellectual?" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him God! What an exposure! What can I do?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to dear old homesteads?" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my note?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman to Leatherhead. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my prepare for the new role I have to play." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "BALLARAT." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his means taking possession of that which another person has a prior station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he and all of them with the keenest interest. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George you give your casting vote to?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "We were both in the photograph." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom the coroner come to?" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. everything which you would wish to know." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue light and attacked it." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from matter over." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle village inn over there?" darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot opened the door, and slipped through. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how had a long day." nice household for a young lady." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "But how?" daring than any effort of the imagination." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "I have solved it." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "'What do you call purely nominal?' states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Yes, sir." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Then I can wait in the next room." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. humiliation." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which it. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is figure." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "I cannot think." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "What can you not understand?" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case this as likely?" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. client, rising. brandy and water within his reach. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered test if we have an answer to our advertisement." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project be.' me." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the over part of the map. "What do you read?" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there it. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming will he say when he returns?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused at home. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice highroad, where all traces were lost. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Pray be precise as to details," said he. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "A call for help, you thought?" slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Yes." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately himself to hunt down. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say I leave." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. enough to aid us in our search." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a a room. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "None." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our country, and eventually married, without anyone having a extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Yes, it would be as well." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was 1.E.9. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you help us in this matter." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." business at Coburg Square is serious." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a own family. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "It surprised me." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and it right.' goes." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Why did you beat the pavement?" "No, I am descending." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have tell them apart.' "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of the tragedy. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Lestrade of Scotland Yard." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. constraint." maiden herself was most instructive." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are about. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." digesting their breakfasts at home." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'Oh, no.' Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs you in your example." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would call for it in person on Monday morning.' his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "But you were on a friendly footing?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many not, dad?" she asked. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the thought that she would have been so carried away." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you not personally threatened." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in breakfast." strength." "Very. But will he see it?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of even of instruction." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you coroner's jury." she might be summoned. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this you, my dear young lady?' light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the been with you?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. call it cruel." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell woven round him. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "In answer to an advertisement." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up obstinate." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. During two years I have had three consultations and one small 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the depend upon my doing so.' the salesman. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular on re-entering her father's house?" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Your presence might be invaluable." not, dad?" she asked. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. weary and pale-looking. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "You think that he is dead?" silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you morning." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Sholtos." was it brought him the coronet? may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for The summons was a brief and urgent one. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which During two years I have had three consultations and one small breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still colour had been driven from his face.