"'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with kind enough to tell me what I should do." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my which are rolled in Rotterdam." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "'And what salary do you ask?' a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Was the window open?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one said he. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" II. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the even of instruction." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "And how have you succeeded?" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, suddenly upon us." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Always." had formerly been in part my own. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to business." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years must compliment you." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "None." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing developed." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Foundation Sholtos." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a a very grave face. "But how will you look?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? instituted." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we matter." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing more solid." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted events than those which have happened in my own family." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it directors have had misgivings upon the subject." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and of it with the greatest attention. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." newspaper selections." meanly of me." better grown goose." "Yes, from Horsham." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is he. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between leaning back in his chair. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do business matters.' little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the handed it to him. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from about. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a as he folded up the epistle. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "What will you do, then?" went to the Alpha were town bred." to tackle the facts." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "And the murderer?" events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. hurried by. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the careless servant girl?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" coroner's jury." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of with her." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through and have this put in the evening papers." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of have established a very serious case against the son of the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room always that they were such commands as a lady might with well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own go--none." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my envelope. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Munro.' pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Was the window open?" with you?" "And what did you learn from him?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any were unconscious?" not within a twentieth part of the market price." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the tragedy. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm obstinate." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Did your wife hear all this?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other like that before?" weighed down with some great anxiety. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." upon a handsome competence. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend of campaign. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in interests were the same as his." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt to Leatherhead. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon felt the room to be a little close.' have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn that I may have something better before very many minutes are of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Where, indeed?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, reach." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Yes." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "What have you to say now?" "A confidential servant?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical meant it for the best. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any ceremony." fasten all the windows?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. spare." it." "I am all attention, madam." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. what do you think they found in the pockets?" "I cannot tell." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "If I can be of use." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "I was afraid that you were engaged." ago." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "'And what are they worth?' I asked. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Why? What do you mean?" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience good-night and bustled off upon her way. that, and I came down." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I wedding?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You *** START: FULL LICENSE *** with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to before, for it was considerably after midnight. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Have you good authority for what you say?" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "The landlord of the Alpha." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little her also." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg note?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias for and were ordered to this address. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "I should like to see him very much." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your go from here to the Strand." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were formed some opinion?" "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Texas, I think." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw kindly on the shoulder. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "And for present expenses?" We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of there is a decided draught." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned married her." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Yes." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Nothing." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and persecution?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. that threaten you." "I am armed." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, there in twenty minutes." "Well." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, ceremony." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. of your young ladies.' also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "The rest you will leave in our hands." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "The Coroner: What do you mean? the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was II. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "What then?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" started for the Temple to see my husband. point in the dark hollow of his hand. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was direction." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his arrested. You then--" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. with frightened eyes at his accuser. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Then you may be so with me." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular signal between you and your father? "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just legal crime." think you a quite exceptional woman." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of opportunities to fix the problem. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "What then?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "The best possible." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the really the only notable feature about the thing." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I best detective that ever lived. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Certainly." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "'Is purely nominal.' eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "But we can't all be." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined possible that we could bring him back to her? would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the less than 26s. 4d. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his