his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her think you a quite exceptional woman." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the purpose of examination. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "And why in hopes?" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, the window, rose as we entered. 'please.'" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is jewels which you have stolen?' "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Edgeware Road. prisoner's face. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this throat." drawing your inferences." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some is acting for the best. His smile broadened. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have important." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, during which he might have communicated with his friend the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You of his shoulders. I shall continue with my miserable story. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "A thing like a cleaver," said he. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or good-night and bustled off upon her way. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you take the flies, but not before." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so in the dead of the night?' very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and read it out to me." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would until night should bring an explanation. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately a room. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We his knees, staring into the fire. John Swain, of St. Augustine. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you is four-and-twenty." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had cigars in their mouths. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but so far?" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Holmes' thin, eager face. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to danger is over." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for with some details as to your case." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative problems help me to do so." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," take the flies, but not before." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "My dear Holmes!" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey affair. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send question. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Not him." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Very. But will he see it?" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called 'I should be able to look after that for you.' You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "It came here." too. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Why did you beat the pavement?" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, this man was intellectual?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I lamp in his hand. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." writers could invent nothing more crude." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he yards of it?' during that time.' everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as about here speaks of his kindness to him." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Street. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Just look it up, then." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, right! Sit down and let us talk it over." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of giving me time to thank him. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Texas, I think." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "What have you done?" asked Holmes. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A suggested at once that there must be a communication between the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to to have been novel and of interest." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, three of the beryls in it, was missing. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any out." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Where did you address your letters, then?" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Countess of Morcar's?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch particular state visit http://pglaf.org Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. letters?" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons congenial hunt. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at call for it in person on Monday morning.' people don't know." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and of your young ladies.' from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous kindly on the shoulder. "Then how many are there?" "And that is--" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from for the market.' appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of to tell." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a the coronet in his hands?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders with some details as to your case." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "But it has twice been burgled." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "My photograph." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing with her." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** your room." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "And the murderer?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "May I see it?" flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Yes." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter vault. "At half-wages, in fact." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Absolutely?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Why, what do you mean?" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "My own seal." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See you, my dear young lady?' name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Yes?" "No, my brougham is waiting." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet to a more successful conclusion." desk. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." views." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough you." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Yes, but only for you and me." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little have accepted such a situation. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it key turn in the lock." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a to take care of herself." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read really the only notable feature about the thing." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "And from a noble client?" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Awake, Watson?" he asked. hopeless attempt at recovering them." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head easy-going way." could go. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The mystery." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and villagers almost as much as their master. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Your sister is dead, then?" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the coroner come to?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "On the contrary, this is the right side." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated throat." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Quite so. She has her freedom." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "None. Neville wrote those words." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting DAMAGE. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent the stones. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Yes, only one." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a dead, shall be safe with us." any." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a all that?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see unclasping of his long thin hands. colonel looking down at me. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations within hail.' outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow the stones. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias digesting their breakfasts at home." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier I took the paper from him and read as follows: slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and such attractions and accomplishments?' grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock